Nanostructured Surface Finishing and Coatings: Functional Properties and Applications

Abstract

This review presents current literature on different nanocomposite coatings and surface finishing for textiles, and in particular this study has focused on smart materials, drug-delivery systems, industrial, antifouling and nano/ultrafiltration membrane coatings. Each of these nanostructured coatings shows interesting properties for different fields of application. In this review, particular attention is paid to the synthesis and the consequent physico-chemical characteristics of each coating and, therefore, to the different parameters that influence the substrate deposition process. Several techniques used in the characterization of these surface finishing coatings were also described. In this review the sol–gel method for preparing stimuli-responsive coatings as smart sensor materials is described; polymers and nanoparticles sensitive to pH, temperature, phase, light and biomolecules are also treated; nanomaterials based on phosphorus, borates, hydroxy carbonates and silicones are used and described as flame-retardant coatings; organic/inorganic hybrid sol–gel coatings for industrial applications are illustrated; carbon nanotubes, metallic oxides and polymers are employed for nano/ultrafiltration membranes and antifouling coatings. Research institutes and industries have collaborated in the advancement of nanotechnology by optimizing conversion processes of conventional materials into coatings with new functionalities for intelligent applications.

Synthesis, Chemical–Physical Characterization, and Biomedical Applications of Functional Gold Nanoparticles: A Review

“…The chemical reduction method is the most frequently used for the surface modification and functionalization of AuNPs with a specific ligand (Figure 3), such as biomolecules, functional molecules, and phase transfer. This procedure implements the analytical, chemical, and biological properties of AuNPs, making them useful for multiple applications [104,105]. In several applications, AuNPs behave as nanocarriers, and, therefore, they are chemically modified for their specific functions.…”

Geopolymers and Functionalization Strategies for the Development of Sustainable Materials in Construction Industry and Cultural Heritage Applications: A Review

“…It is also considered an effective coating process [ 81 ]. The most relevant feature of the sol–gel technique is the ease of homogeneously coating the entire surface of different materials, which find employment in various industrial fields, such as optical and sensing applications or powder synthesis of raw materials used as precursors in innovative concrete formulations [ 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 ]. Moreover, micro and mesoporous ceramics obtained through this method are widely employed in extraction technology, such as waste removal and drug delivery [ 88 , 89 ].…”

“…In more detail, the synthesis route of a monolith through this method consists in mixing the precursor materials in the liquid phase, with the consequent development of hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions, which lead to the formation of a low viscosity sol inside the solution. After that, a series of polycondensation reactions occur, forming a three-dimensional network structure gel with a continuous inorganic lattice containing an interconnected liquid phase, which will become a xerogel with a porous space structure after removal of the solvent by a drying process [ 87 ]. A schematic example of the sol–gel mechanism is shown in Figure 7 .…”

Development of Antibacterial and Antifouling Innovative and Eco-Sustainable Sol–Gel Based Materials: From Marine Areas Protection to Healthcare Applications

“…Consisting of various aromatic compounds, they can protect a broad spectrum of microbes. Essential oils, such as neem, clove, lavender, rosemary, and cinnamon, were applied to cellulosic fabrics by different techniques to impart durable antimicrobial coatings [ 161 ].…”