Nanotechnology and its application

Abstract

Nanoteohnology is one of the key technologies of the 21st century, and one from which fresh stimuli can be expected, in particular for the textile industry. Every day sees the creation of fascinating new active agents on the basis of microscopically small particles in the size range of the nanometer (= one billionth of a meter) displaying completely new surface properties due to their specific material mix. The multiplicity of the nanoparticles is so great that it is often difficult to gain an overview of the various nano-materials used, their properties and possibilities for textile applications. Accordingly, this contribution provides a brief insight into the state of nano-technology and - taking the titanium-dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle as an example - explains the route leading to an innovative textile for practical application with interesting new kinds of surface properties.