Nanotechnology for Textiles and Apparel

Prof. John H Xin Institute of Textiles & Clothing The Hong Kong Polytechnic University tcxinjh@inet.polyu.edu.hk

What is Nano
Nano is from Greek word Nanos - meaning "dwarf. It is a prefix meaning 10-9. In the matric system, A nanometre is a billionth of a metre, or 1/80,000 of the diameter of a human hair 10 times the diameter of a hydrogen atom. 1 metre vs. 1 nanometre = Diameter of Earth vs. Diameter of M&M
Diameter: 1.2 cm

VS.

Diameter: 12760 km

Nanocrystals in suspension. Each jar contains either silver or gold, and the color difference is caused by particle sizes and shapes, as shown in the structures above and below.
Courtesy of Richard Van Duyne Group, Northwestern University

Examples of nanotechnology applications:

chemical and bio-detectors advanced drug delivery systems chemical-mechanical polishing with nanoparticle slurries new generation of lasers Nano-structured catalysts systems on a chip carbon nanotube products nanoparticle reinforced materials thermal barrier ink jet systems information recording layers molecular sieves high hardness cutting tools

Why is this length scale so important?

The wavelike properties of electrons inside matter are influenced by variations on the nanometer scale. At nanometer length scale, it is possible to vary fundamental properties of materials, e.g., melting temperature, magnetization, charge capacity, without changing the chemical composition. Biological systems, e.g., DNA, are in nanometer scale, if we can assemble DNA, or place artificial components to it, we can create new species.

Why is this length scale so important?

Nanoscale components have very high surface areas, making them ideal for use in composite materials, reacting systems, drug delivery, and energy storage. At the nanoscale, surface tension and local electromagnetic effects become more important, making nanostructured materials harder and less brittle. The interaction wavelength scales of various external wave phenomena become comparable to the material entity size, making materials suitable for various optoelectronic applications.

Nanotechnology in Textile and Apparel industry

The application of nanotechnology to textiles and apparel industry has started only several years ago. The knowledge in this field is still very limited. High potential with the advance in nanotechnology New and novel functions Closely related to material science, polymer chemistry and process innovation.

Nanotechnology in Textile and Apparel industry

Known advantages of the nanotechnology in textile and apparel applications
More effective
More active Large surface area per unit weight

Less change to physical and mechanical properties

Hand Strength Air permeability

Low chemical usage Low energy costs

Nanotechnology Centre
for Functional and Intelligent Textiles and Apparel
In June 2003, The Centre was established in the Institute of Textiles & Clothing, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The Centre is Sponsored by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong Government and 7 Commercial companies. It is the only Nanotechnology Programme in Textile and apparel sector funded by the Government through bidding Web site: www.nano-textiles.com

The developments achieved at Nanocentre

Self-cleaning Fabrics
Self-cleaning Fabrics were developed in 2003 in the Nanotechnology Centre of the Functional and Intelligent Textiles and Apparel. The key results were published in J. Amer. Ceramic Soc. In may 2004 and was reported by Nature in June 2004. The fabrication of self-cleaning fabric used a new technology of producing anatase TiO2 thin film at low temperature. A nanoscaled thin transparent layer was formed on the fibre surface with very good durability

Surface of the Fibre

The film thickness is in the range of 50 80 nm. The anatase form of the TiO2 acts as a catalyst to selfcleaning the fabric.

Untreated Cotton fibre

Treated Cotton fibre

AFM Image of the surface nanostructure

Self-cleaning Effect
The nanolayer acts as catalysts that help to break down and remove:
Dirt Odour (body odour, smoking odour, etc) Bacteria Colour stains Harmful organic materials, such as formaldehyde Other carbon-based molecules,

With the help of sunlight or other light sources that contain UV radiation, in a process of photocatalysis.

Diagram of self-cleaning action

New Developments - Self-cleaning Fabrics

Experiments conducted Photocatalytic experiments: Two blue colorants showed significant reduction in colour.
Self-cleaning fabric under UV Normal fabric under UV

Anti-odouring test: decompose smoking smell

Decomposing stains
Stain, oily substance decomposition under daylight

Wine stain on treated and untreated fabrics (left to right: UC, B 2.5%, B 5%, A40 2.5%, A60 2.5% and A60 5%) after 20 hours(upper) and 40 hours(lower) exposure (center part of each sample)

Anti-bacterial Effect
98%~100% bacteria reduction according to AATCC test 100 and Shake flask test (ASTM Test E 2419-01). The following results were based on Staphylococcus aureus.
Antibacterial Effect
12000

Viable Bacetrial Count

10000 8000 Untreated Cotton 6000 Self-cleaning Cotton 4000 2000 0

Before treatment

After treatment

50-time of washing, bacterial reduction >= 85 % 0 1 2 3 Time (h) indicating durable antibacterial efficacy

Anti-bacterial treatment based on natural product

Chitosan: a natural product
Chitosan-based coreshell nanoparticles Bio-compatible High surface area Well disperse to the fiber surface Good antibacterial property and laundering durability

Wash Fastness Test

100 Bacterial reduction (% 80 60 40 20 0 0 5 10 20 Laundring Cycles 25 50
CBAccC CNIccC Quaternary ammonium salt PHMB Halogenated phenoxy compound Encapsulating polymer ChiC CBAC CNIC ChiccC

Ref: http://www.botanik.uni-bonn.de/system/bionik.htm. Barthlott,W. & Neinhuis, C. Planta 202, 18 (1997).

Lotus-Effect on Fabrics

Nano-encapsulation systems
Release of the encapsulated active ingredients can be controlled: slow or fast depending on applications, Anti-bacteria agent, skin nutrients, medicines, fragrance, moisturizing agents, insect repellent including mosquito repellent agents, etc can be encapsulated with longer last effect.

Multi-functional Finishing Treatments

Various functions can be built in a single treatment using nanotechnology, make the treatment much simpler and low cost and with synergistic effect, 3 in 1, 5 in 1 have been developed.

Water-repellency

UV-Blocking

Anti-bacterial

Wrinkle-free

Nanotechnology for functional finishing of textile materials

Basic functions:
wrinkle-free water-repellency oil-repellency soil-repellency flame-retardancy

Nanotechnology for functional finishing of textile materials

Special functions: antibacterial, antimicrobialAL anti-viralfr anti-odour/freshness anti-mosquito/insectsA / controlled drug-release w super-hydrophilicWl UV-blocking~ anti-static Rq anti-radiation Tg

Nanotechnology for functional finishing of textile materials

Comfort and healthcare O\z
hydrophilic, breathable lAz moisture management / quick dry Fn temperature regulation` skincare O Fragrance - far infra-redO ~ Negative ion tl -

Nanotechnology for functional finishing of textile materials

Military functions
anti-chemical warfare Z anti-infra-red u ~ anti-radar or electromagnetic shielding pF qi passive and active camouflageQ ,O@

Color without Dyes - Natural Color by Micro-, Nano-Structure

Multilayered Iridescent Film

Multilayered iridescent film is a thin film composed of a plurality of generally parallel layers of transparent polymeric material with different refractive index

Nano-strcutured Photonic Fibers and Fabrics

Other Intelligent textile products

Sensing glove, garment

developed by Nanotechnology Centre, ITC/PolyU

Dancing Garment
developed by Nanotechnology Centre, ITC/PolyU, Performed by H L Lee.

In summary, the future is bright for the application of nanotechnology in Textiles and Apparel
Thank you!