Functionalisation of textiles by inorganic sol–gel coatings

TLDR

The functionalisation of textiles seeks to preserve and enhance existing properties while creating new ones, and coating with nanoscale silica sols (<50 nm) can alter physico‑mechanical, optical, electrical, and biological characteristics, enabling protection and functions such as repellency and antimicrobial activity. The article investigates the application of modified silica nanosols for textile functionalisation. The study demonstrates that modified silica nanosols can effectively functionalise textiles, imparting properties such as water, oil, soil repellency and antimicrobial activity.

Abstract

The maintenance and improvement of current properties and the creation of new material properties are the most important reasons for the functionalisation of textiles. The coating of textiles with chemically or physically modified silica sols with particle diameters smaller than 50 nm ("nanosols") enables the manifold alteration of their physico-mechanical, optical, electrical and biological properties. Thus the protection of textiles against destruction and the creation of new advantageous functions can be realised. Prospective new products to be developed include textiles with water, oil and soil repellency and with antimicrobial properties. This article discusses recent results from applying modified silica nanosols to the functionalisation of textiles.