Water repellent fabric that disintegrates into dust

New Materials Asia, August, 2006

Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a fabric that can clean itself and also breaks down into dust.

Backed by financial support from the Innovation and Technology Fund, PolyU textile scientists have successfully made use of nanotechnology to develop a special fabric that can be made into so-called "self-cleaning" clothes.

Using a patent-pending process that combines a biomimic lotus leaf nanostructure surface fabrication technology, making the fabric water repellent, and nano-photocatalysis technology, garments can achieve self-cleaning function, the scientists say. (See also, Lotus leaf copied to make fibres water-repellent, New Materials Japan, February 2005, page 10.)

In developing the special fabric at the Nanotechnology Centre for Functional and Intelligent Textiles and Apparel, Professor John Xin and his team combined the lotus leaf nanostructure with a nano-titanium dioxide coating for greater effectiveness.

This coating, when built on fabric, can defend against and decompose stains, dirt, odours, bacteria, harmful gases and is highly water- and oil-repellent. Self-cleaning garments can effectively reduce the laundering process so as to protect the environment, the developers say.

The self-cleaning garment also possesses excellent protection against ultraviolet radiation. The treatment has excellent durability during washing and normal usage without losing the fabric's softness or breathability, the developers say.

For further information, contact: Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Internet: www1.polyu.edu.hk