Nanotechnology, according to the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), is defined as utilization of structure with at least one dimension of nanometer size for the construction of materials, devices or systems with novel or significantly improved properties due to their nano-size. The nanostructures are capable of enhancing the physical properties of conventional textiles, in areas such as anti-microbial properties, water repellence, soil-resistance, anti-static, anti-infrared and flame-retardant properties, dyeability, colour fastness and strength of textile materials. In the present work, zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by wet chemical method using zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide as precursors and soluble starch as stabilizing agent. These nanoparticles, which have an average size of 40 nm, were coated on the bleached cotton fabrics (plain weave, 30 s count) using acrylic binder and functional properties of coated fabrics were studied. On an average of 75%, UV blocking was recorded for the cotton fabrics treated with 2% ZnO nanoparticles. Air permeability of the nano-ZnO coated fabrics was significantly higher than the control, hence the increased breathability. In case of nano-ZnO coated fabric, due to its nano-size and uniform distribution, friction was significantly lower than the bulk-ZnO coated fabric as studied by Instron® Automated Materials Testing System. Further studies are under way to evaluate wash fastness, antimicrobial properties, abrasion properties and fabric handle properties.
The state of physical comfort experienced by a wearer under a given environmental condition is greatly influenced by the tactile, thermal and moisture transport properties of the fabric. An indepth study carried out to understand fabric handle and wear comfort in relation to fiber, yarn and fabric structural parameter is presented in this paper. The results obtained from this study provide an invaluable insight into engineering of required quality features into the cotton fabrics so as to provide optimum wear comfort. A comprehensive grading index incorporating the transport attributes (air permeability and moisture and thermal transport) of the fabric has been derived to grade end use efficiency of the fabric juxtaposing with fabric hand, which would finally decide the overall quality of the apparel fabric.
This article presents the results of an investigation carried out to quantify the changes in the wall thickness-ribbon width ratio of cotton fibers from different varieties during swelling in 18% NaOH. While measuring the wall thickness and ribbon width before and after swelling, the identity of individual fibers was maintained such that changes could be followed up with precision. The data indicate not only varietal differences in the response to alkali but also a strong dependence of the extent of swelling on the initial wall thickness for fibers in a given variety. Thin-walled fibers seem to have a tendency to swell more than mature hairs. This tendency would cast doubt on the accuracy of maturity measured by the alkali swelling method, especially when the concerned variety has a substantial percentage of fibers having a wall-ribbon ratio falling in the 0.15-0.25 range before swelling.
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