Antimicrobial Textiles

In the realm of medical textiles, antimicrobial textiles play a prominent position and significant amounts of research work are carried out in this particular subject. Fabrics that are functionally active and have the ability to kill germs or inhibit their proliferation are referred to as antimicrobial textiles. The chapter provides an in-depth analysis of a number of noteworthy developments observed in the field of study. An emphasis has been placed on the various antimicrobial compounds such as copper, silver, zinc oxide, titanium, and silver-doped titanium, etc., imbedded in textiles used in healthcare services for imparting efficacy to lower the number of microbes that exist in such materials along with the rates of infection related to healthcare. It has also been discussed the physical characteristics of metal nanoparticles and possible mechanisms employed against bacteria. Further to the above the methods of manufacture as well as the effects of incorporating compounds that consist of metal-based nano particles and environmentally friendly antimicrobial materials have been highlighted. Antimicrobial fabric types such as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral have been reviewed. The improvement in nanostructured textile material through the application of sustainable finishing methods and the evaluation of its performance on wound treatment are discussed.