Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation
ITRI
Nanoparticles are at the forefront of the nanotechnology wave. They are less than about 100 nm in diameter that exhibit new or enhanced size-dependent properties compared with larger particles of the same material. The ability to fabricate and control the structure of nanoparticles allows the scientist and engineer to influence the resulting properties and, ultimately, design materials to give the desired properties. The current and potential applications for nanoparticles are growing and cover an extremely broad range of markets industries including biomedical & cancer treatment, renewable energy, environmental protection, pharmaceuticals, personal care, surface coatings, plastics, textiles, food, building materials, electronics, automotives, etc.
By incorporating nanoparticles in fibres or on textile surfaces, mechanical, physical and chemical properties of the fibres and textiles can be modified, leading to realisation of a broad range of unique functions. For example, UV protection of a range of textile substrates and organic dyes can be achieved through incorporation of TiO2 or ZnO nanoparticles into synthetic fibres or coating a substrate with a thin layer of nanoparticles. This project aims at the synthesis of various nanoparticles that provide fibres and textiles with added functionality such as self-cleaning, thermal control, fire retardant, antimicrobial, anti-static and radiation-shielding properties.
Nanoparticles of biological origin (for example from collagen, keratin, muscle, elastin, and fibrin) have advantages over synthetic polymer nanoparticles or inorganic nanoparticles where applications require non-toxicity, bio-compatibility and biodegradability. The project aims at formation of organic nanoparticles of biological-origin and exploration of a wide range of applications including biomedical, textile and cosme-pharma-neutroceuticals.
