Functional finishing in cotton fabrics using zinc oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanotechnology, according to the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), is defined as utilization of structure with at least one dimension of nanometer size for the construction of materials, devices or systems with novel or significantly improved properties due to their nano-size. The nanostructures are capable of enhancing the physical properties of conventional textiles, in areas such as anti-microbial properties, water repellence, soil-resistance, anti-static, anti-infrared and flame-retardant properties, dyeability, colour fastness and strength of textile materials. In the present work, zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by wet chemical method using zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide as precursors and soluble starch as stabilizing agent. These nanoparticles, which have an average size of 40 nm, were coated on the bleached cotton fabrics (plain weave, 30 s count) using acrylic binder and functional properties of coated fabrics were studied. On an average of 75%, UV blocking was recorded for the cotton fabrics treated with 2% ZnO nanoparticles. Air permeability of the nano-ZnO coated fabrics was significantly higher than the control, hence the increased breathability. In case of nano-ZnO coated fabric, due to its nano-size and uniform distribution, friction was significantly lower than the bulk-ZnO coated fabric as studied by Instron® Automated Materials Testing System. Further studies are under way to evaluate wash fastness, antimicrobial properties, abrasion properties and fabric handle properties.

Use of zinc oxide nano particles for production of antimicrobial textiles

“…The zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by wet chemical method (Yadav et al, 2006) using zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide as precursors and soluble starch as stabilizing agent. Different concentrations of soluble starch (0.1%, 0.5% and 1.0%) were dissolved in 500 ml of distilled water by using microwave oven.…”

Eco –friendly flame retardant via self assembly coating

“…This shift is appropriate to the decrease in the size effect of nano structures. The approximate band gap value calculated from the λ max value using the equation below [19].…”

Influence of Nanofinishes on the Antimicrobial Properties of Fabrics

“…In another research work [13], zinc oxide nano particles have been synthesized by the use of zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide (precursors) and soluble starch (stabilizing agent) by adopting the wet chemical method. Soluble starch in varying concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) has been dissolved by 500 mL of distilled water, in a microwave oven.…”

“…With this increase in health awareness, many people focused their attention on educating and protecting themselves against harmful pathogens. It soon became more important for antimicrobially finished textiles to protect the wearer from bacteria than it was to simply protect the garment from fiber degradation [13]. The need for antimicrobial textiles goes hand-in-hand with the rise in resistant strains of microorganisms.…”