Sol-Gel Nanocoatings to Functionalize Fibers and Textiles: A Critical Perspective

Two decades after their commercial introduction, environmentally friendly and easily applied silica-based sol-gel nanocoatings are used by selected textile companies to produce high performance textile fabrics endowed with new functional properties. Reports on their industrial utilization, however, are conflicting. Collecting updated information from leading industry's practitioners, this study identifies the main technical and economic reasons that will drive widespread application of hybrid sol-gel coatings in the textile industry.