Influence of Nanofinishes on the Antimicrobial Properties of Fabrics

This paper critically reviews the influence of the various types of nanomaterials on the antibacterial property of the treated fabrics. The merits of each type of nanomaterial have been compared. The synthesis and application method of each type are highlighted. As the number of microorganisms is growing increasingly resistant to antibiotics, the need to treat fabrics with nano materials becomes important in order to improve the antibacterial efficacy over a range of bacterium and fungi. The various researches reported herein show a promise for wider applications in medical textiles. Nano finishes have been applied on natural materials such as cotton, wool, and silk and also synthetic materials such as PET fabrics, with interesting results.