Tirupati: Imagine your clothes are dirty and start stinking, but yuu still wear them to office. Isn’t it disgusting? Yes, it is. But it won’t be so in future when clothes made of nanotexitles enter the market. They have self-cleaning ability when they exposed to sunlight.
The nanotextiles technology is developed by Hyderabad-based International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI). It will be showcased in the 104th Indian Science Congress. According to researchers at ARCI, the secret behind the self-cleaning fabric is Titanium Oxide (TiO2), which is a unique photocatalyst that decomposes organics and bacteria.
“TiO2 acts as a toxin to bacteria. When toxic ions are released, cell membrane of bacteria gets damaged. The nano-silver-based socks are proven to be effective against bacteria and effective against Athlete’s foot fungus. The product is produced under N9 Pure silver brand name,” said researchers.
Nano-coating of fibre or glass or any other material makes it wear-resistant, corrosion resistant, hydrophobic, superhydrophilic, self-cleaning and anti-bacterial. Hydrophobic means a property, which doesn’t allow a material to attract water.
If nanotextiles could be brought into commercial production, it would save millions of litres of water used for washing. Based on ARCI synthesis process, Bengaluru-based RESIL Chemical has started commercial production of antibacterial textiles. Prof. Tata Narasing Rao, head of the Centre for Nanomater-ials, ARCI will be presenting his work in the congress.
