This article elucidates about the production of nanofibers and the applications of nanotechnology in textiles. The recent applications of nanotechnology in producing fabrics with peculiar properties such as shirts having the property to stop bullets, military uniforms that can change colour, waterproof, germ proof and various other properties and other areas like filtration, nano-composites, nano-finish and nano-dyeing. Nanotechnology can also be applied in 'smart textiles', which has a great influence in the field of garment and protective clothing.
Nanotechnology is a very complex field combining science (biology, chemistry & physics), technology (computer programming), engineering (electronics & design) and math. "Nano" is a Greek word for small or dwarf. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Nanometers are so small that 150,000 of them fit across the width of a strand of human hair.
In future, nanotechnology will play a big role in the field of textiles. With the production of nanofibers, nanotechnology extends its application to a vast area. Regarding production of nanofibers; conventional fiber spinning techniques were not able to produce polymer fibers with diameters in nanometer range. Several technologies have been developed that can potentially produce fibers less than one micrometer in diameter. Electrospinning is the process using electrostatic forces to form a fine filament from polymer solution.
Nanotechnology plays a major role in the following fields of textile:
. Nanofibers
. Nanocomposites
. Nano dyeing
. Nano-finish.
In the electrospinning process a high voltage is used to create an electrically charged stream of polymer solution or melt. A high voltage electrode is linked with the polymer solution. The solution is then spun through a capillary. Due to high voltage electric field between the tip of capillary and a grounded collector, Taylor cone is formed at the tip of capillary producing sub-micron diameter fibers. Fibers solidify as the polymer solvent evaporates and create an interlinked fiber layer on the surface of collector. Many types of polymers were processed into nanofibers of 50 to 1000 nanometers in diameter.
Nanotechnology can be applied to many areas in textiles. They are used for producing composite materials, air filters and in manufacturing fabrics having queer properties. Some of the properties that the nanotechnologically-produced fabrics have are as follows
Light weight bullet-proof vests and shirts
Soldiers uniforms that change color to adjust to the surroundings.
Waterproof and Germ proof.
Wire and ready to wear
Cleaner Kids Cloth and Fancy pants
Stain-free clothing, carpet, furniture and mattresses
Shirts, pants and jackets that will not rip, tear or wear holes.
