Embedding of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles for functional textile coating

Functional coatings are basically used to enrich the properties and performance of various textiles and also to introduce new textile functions. ZnO has very unique physical and chemical properties, it is also environment friendly, biocompatible and low in price, and thus it is established as a very good chemical agent for textile functionalization. ZnO is produced from the naturally occurring rare mineral Zincite or synthetically prepared by the use of various precursors.

ZnO is used in the textile industry due to its extraordinary properties like good photocatalytic activity, chemically very stable under the UV radiation exposure, thermally very stable and they absorb a wide range of the UV radiation. Apart from this the ZnO nanoparticles are a very effective photocatalytic self-cleaning antimicrobial and UV protective agent. When ZnO nanoparticles are embedded in textile fibres to improve the flame retardancy, thermal stability, to achieve the management of the moisture, thermal insulation, electrical conductivity and hydrophobicity. The literature survey reveals the use of ZnO nanoparticles in different perspectives and deliverable highlights.

The ZnO nanoparticles can be easily synthesised by using eco-friendly technology, by using the different plant extracts, microorganisms and other biomolecules. The use of ZnO in textiles is very rare and has limited to very specific applications like preparing the antibacterial cellulose/ ZnO composites or antimicrobial fabrics.

Since these green routes are especially important for biomedical applications, the photocatalytic, antibacterial, antifungal, drug delivery, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory as well as bioimaging activities of ZnO nanoparticles were taken into consideration