Silica, copper particles used in production of antibacterial fabrics

Iranian researchers created superhydrophobic and antibacterial properties in cotton fabrics by using silica nanoparticles and copper metallic compounds. The product has applications in various fields, including clothes, external coatings and medical applications (waterproof and antibacterial fabrics). The aim of the research was to use sol-gel process (production of silica nanoparticles) and adding copper metallic compounds to it to create superhydrophobic and antibacterial properties in cotton fabric. In this research, lotus effect has been created on cotton fabrics by using nanotechnology. The product has applications in various fields, including clothes, external coatings and medical applications (waterproof and antibacterial fabrics). The use of common processes to make waterproof fabrics and to coat them with resins and hydrophobic materials causes all the pores in the fabric to be closed, and in case they are used as clothes, humidity does not diffuse from outside into the clothes or in the opposite direction, and therefore, the consumer does not feel comfortable. The use of the mentioned nanostructured coating does not disturb humidity transfer, and the comfort of the clothes is not affected at all. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the fabric increases as well as its waterproof characteristic, which is vital in health issues. Results of the research have been published in Nanoscale Research Letters, vol. 6, issue 594, 2011.