Nanotechnology-based coating techniques for smart textiles

Nanotechnology-based textile coating is a combined approach to textile engineering which mainly relies on using nanoscale materials and novel methods to produce smart finishing. Several methods have been introduced to generate smart coatings on textiles including the sol–gel technique, layer-by-layer technique, cross-linking by polymers, and thin film deposition. Nanofibre coating of different metallic and nonmetallic substrates has been intensively considered for sensory and infrastructure purposes. This chapter provides an overview of nanotechnology-based coating approaches with a detailed discussion of applications in practical and potential fields. Future trends of new types of smart coatings on textiles are also presented.<br />