Nanoparticles Coating Fabric for Medical and Protective Applications: Research Breakthrough

Researchers at PSG College of Technology in Tamil Nadu, India, have developed a new method to coat fabrics with natural rubber latex containing various nanofillers, resulting in multifunctional fabrics. The study found that single-cycle coated fabrics exhibited superior mechanical strength, acid durability, and UV-visible light shielding effectiveness, while double-cycle coated fabrics demonstrated excellent wound-healing potential, antimicrobial activity, and hydrophilicity. The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers developed a method to coat fabrics with natural rubber latex containing lignin nanoparticles and molybdenum disulfide nanosheets.
  • Single-cycle coated fabrics demonstrated superior mechanical strength, acid durability, and UV-visible light shielding effectiveness.
  • Double-cycle coated fabrics exhibited excellent wound-healing potential, antimicrobial activity, and hydrophilicity.
  • The fabrics were non-toxic to cells and facilitated surface absorption of water and stains without penetration into the fabric.
  • Single-cycle coated fabrics are ideal for protective clothing applications, while double-cycle coated fabrics are better for biomedical applications.
  • The research has significant implications for developing multifunctional fabrics for medical and protective applications.
  • Collaboration between the PSG College of Technology and International Journal of Biological Macromolecules made this research possible.
  • The study's findings have the potential to transform the textile industry and improve human health.

Statistics:

  • 53% improvement in mechanical strength was observed in single-cycle coated fabrics.
  • 3 phr (parts per hundred rubber) of molybdenum disulfide-tannic acid dispersion (MT) and 7 phr of lignin nanoparticles (LNP) were used in the study.
  • Two types of coated fabric samples were prepared: single-cycle and double-cycle coated fabrics.
  • Two sets of double-cycle coated fabrics were produced with sequential layers: NRL/MT followed by NRL/LNP, and the reverse order.
  • The study was conducted by a team of researchers from PSG College of Technology, including Selvakumar Gopalsamy, A. S. Sethulekshmi, and Kuruvilla Joseph.
  • The research was funded by an undisclosed source and published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

Sources:

  • International Journal of Biological Macromolecules: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025:144878.
  • PSG College of Technology: Dept. of Textile Technology, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • NewsRx: NewsRx. PSG College of Technology Reports Findings in Nanoparticles (Polyester/cotton blended fabrics coated with natural rubber latex containing lignin nanoparticle and molybdenum disulfide nanosheets for medical and protective applications). Nanotechnology Weekly. June 16, 2025; p 2705.