An overview on nanomaterials with magnetic properties used in the textile sector

Abstract

Nowadays, the world of materials around us has reached a new step in evolution. New materials with amazing properties and functions are innovated in our attempt to make our lives easier and turn the world into a better place for the future. The current generation of textile materials is based on innovative technologies and modern fibres, making them smarter and more technical than ever, giving to people the possibility to adapt to the conditions and evolution of this century. Nanotechnology is a big contributor to the wide expansion of textile applications through the offered benefits and functionalities. It is used for the development of fabrics that are stronger, lighter, more durable or among others, capable of self-cleaning, self-repairing or resisting wrinkling. The addition of magnetic nanomaterials, such as iron oxide or nanoparticles to textiles, either as coatings or as composite materials or as unique elements in industrial processes (e.g., in the dyeing process, in the wastewater treatment process), opens new possibilities for the improvement and future development of the textile sector. This paper presents a summary of some of the latest developments regarding the types of magnetic nanomaterials, their functions, and applications in the textile industry and also the technologies used in different studies to manufacture textile materials with magnetic properties. Finally, the utility of the electrospinning technology to produce materials with full magnetic properties at the nano level and their usefulness in a series of applications proposed by researchers is demonstrated.