UV Protection and Antimicrobial Properties of Textiles Using Nanotechnology

Recently, there has been a pronounced escalation of human skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, as well as microbial contamination due to the continued atmospheric ozone layer decay and the increased social engagements, respectively. With the growing concern of health issues relating to these factors, functionalized textiles with the help of nanotechnology have gained considerable scholarly attention. Apart from the conventional finishing techniques, titanium, silver, and zinc nanoparticles used in nanofinishing can offer immense potential for blocking UV rays and inhibiting microbial proliferation due to their large surface area, high surface energy, easy ionization, and toxic nature. This chapter reviews the latest amelioration in nanofinishing technology for textiles intended for protection from UV rays and microbial infestations. The target-based nanomaterials, their properties, and mechanisms to work with, application approaches, durability, sustainability, and contemporary and future research direction are comprehensively discussed.