Application Of Nano Materials In Functional Finishing Of Textiles

Nanomaterials are materials whose size is up to nanoscale and lead to performance changes. The size changes of nanomaterials have surface effect, small size effect and quantum size effect. Textile functional finishing is a way to meet the special functions of textile in production and life, and improve its added value. The application of nanomaterials in functional finishing of textiles has made the functional textiles with antibacterial properties, UV resistance, antistatic, self-cleaning, conductivity, wrinkle resistance and so on. It has become one of the development trends of the textile industry.

Anti UV finishing

Anti ultraviolet finishing is to process nanomaterials onto the surface of the fiber and to further fix them on textiles. When the light is irradiated to the textiles, the quantum size effect and surface effect of the nanoparticles make most of the ultraviolet light absorbed or reflected, thus reducing the amount of ultraviolet radiation on the fabric. At present, the nanoparticles used in anti ultraviolet finishing of textiles are mainly TiO2, ZnO, Al2O3, SiO2 and so on.

Self cleaning finishing

There are two kinds of textile self cleaning finishing principles: super hydrophobic and photocatalysis. The principle of super hydrophobic self-cleaning can be explained by the contact angle of the surface. The greater the contact angle is, the better the water repellency. The key to increase the contact angle is to improve the micro roughness or reduce the surface energy of the fabric surface.

Photocatalytic self-cleaning is mainly based on the photocatalytic reaction of nano TiO2. Under light conditions, TiO2 can undergo strong redox reactions and generate hydroxyl radicals, thus decomposing organic matter. Compared with super hydrophobic surface finishing, photocatalytic surface finishing can only catalyze the oxidation of pollutants only under sunlight. The products obtained are environmentally friendly, pollution-free and no loss of energy in the catalytic process. It is an environment-friendly technology and has more advantages.

antibacterial finish

The quantum size effect of nanomaterials enables them to absorb photons or generate electron transitions themselves, resulting in changes in the energy levels, the enhancement of reduction and oxidation, and the production of a large number of active hydroxyl radicals and oxygen radicals that can kill bacteria in a short time. At present, nanomaterials used in antibacterial finishing of textiles include TiO2, ZnO, Ag and so on.

Antistatic finishing

The antistatic finishing of nano materials of fabrics is through the conduction of materials, so that the charge can be quickly transmitted and consumed, so that the fabric can achieve antistatic effect. At present, TiO2, ZnO, Ag, graphene and so on are the main nanomaterials in antistatic finishing of textiles.

Commonly used conductive nanomaterials have many problems when they are used alone: precious metals have good conductive effect but high prices. Carbon materials are easy to deposit, weak in binding force and deep in color. Therefore, various conductive nanomaterials are often used together to compensate for their defects through synergy between materials, so as to achieve better finishing effect.

Conductive finishing

Under normal conditions, the fabric surface is insulated because of the lack of free moving electrons, giving fabric electrical conductivity to adapt to the diversified needs of modern life. Graphene and carbon nanotubes are widely used in conductive finishing of fabrics due to their excellent electrical conductivity and good mechanical properties.

Other collation

Nanomaterials can also be applied to functional finishing such as flame retardant, electromagnetic shielding and infrared absorption. LingChao first made weak oxidation treatment on cotton fabric, and the high load ZnO cotton fabric prepared by in-situ ammonia fumigation had better flame retardant effect.

With the increasing complexity of people's living environment, functional textiles with unitary performance have been unable to meet people's needs. Developing high performance and multi-functional products is the trend of the times. Functional nanomaterials are an important part of textile functional finishing. With the rapid development of nanotechnology, nano composite textiles with various functional properties will become one of the main trends in the future.