The use of ZnO for the functionalization of textile substrates is growing rapidly, since it can provide unique multifunctional properties, such as photocatalytic self-cleaning, antimicrobial activity, UV protection, flame retardancy, thermal insulation and moisture management, hydrophobicity, and electrical conductivity. This paper aims to review the recent progress in the fabrication of ZnO-functionalized textiles, with an emphasis on understanding the specificity and mechanisms of ZnO action that impart individual properties to the textile fibers. The most common synthesis and application processes of ZnO to textile substrates are summarized. The influence of ZnO concentration, particle size and shape on ZnO functionality is presented. The importance of doping and coupling procedures to enhance ZnO performance is highlighted. The need to use binding and seeding agents to increase the durability of ZnO coatings is expressed. In addition to functional properties, the cytotoxicity of ZnO coatings is also discussed. Future directions in the use of ZnO for textile functionalization are identified as well.

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In this work, the antibacterial and other properties of polyester fabrics previously functionalized by corona and/or silver nano particles have been studied. Corona air plasma was used as a pretreatment of raw, washed and washed-thermostabilized polyester fabrics to increase the adhesion of nano silver particles resulting in an excellent antibacterial effect. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was applied to analyze the surface composition and chemical bonding of the surface atoms on untreated and treated fabrics. The surface morphological changes of polyester fibers were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The quantity of silver on the polyester fabrics was determined by the use of the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry method. The antimicrobial properties of functionalized polyester fabrics were tested according to American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM Designation: E 2149-01. Additionally, the dyeing of polyester fabrics with selected disperse dye as well as capillary action tests were performed to confirm the chemical and morphological changes of polyester fibers after corona treatment. Considerable differences in surface composition were found between the raw and washed or washed-thermostabilized fabrics. The surface of raw fabrics is richer in carbon and the concentrations of the C—O and O—C=O groups are lower than on the other samples. An opposite effect is observed for washed and washed thermostabilized fabrics. SEM analyses show that the plasma treatment also affects the surface morphology. The chemical surface composition and morphology are highly related to the hydrophobicity and hydrophylicity, and the achievement of better nano silver adhesion and enhanced dyeing and antimicrobial properties of differently prepared corona plasma-treated polyester fabrics. Therefore, corona air-treated raw polyester fabrics demonstrated optimum antimicrobial properties due to the excellent adhesion of nano silver.

Authors are listed in an order by their first contribution part to this paper and its subsections. Some have contributed to more than one subsection. This white paper considers the future of plasma science and technology related to the manufacturing and modifications of plastics and textiles, summarizing existing efforts and the current state-of-art for major topics related to plasma processing techniques. It draws on the frontier of plasma technologies in order to see beyond and identify the grand challenges which we face in the following 5-10 years. To progress and move the frontier forward, the paper highlights the major enabling technologies

In an attempt to use minimal concentrations, initially, of silver nanoparticles for loading onto textiles and to achieve maximum concentrations on the material, CF4 low-pressure plasma was used on bleached and mercerized cotton fabric. The concentrations of silver on the fabrics were determined by the ICP-MS method (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry), the morphology of fiber surfaces was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and an x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study was used for the evaluation of surface chemical changes. The antibacterial effect of silver loaded fabrics was tested against Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The best results were found for plasma-treated cotton fabric functionalized with 30 nm silver particles. The results show effective plasma etching of the fabric surface, which caused excellent adhesion of silver particles. Color measurements of dyed samples showed that CF 4 plasma does not affect the color of dyed cotton. The mechanical properties of cotton remain unaltered after plasma treatment.