7 Graphene-based functional textile materials

Abstract

Functional textile materials have gained a lot of interest in recent years for the preparation of next-generation advanced materials. Various approaches are used to introduce functionalities in the textile material as per the intended application. In this context, graphene is, currently, the focus of research because of its unique electrical, mechanical, thermal, and optical properties. Graphene-based functional textiles are advantageous due to their high strength, lightweight, uniform coatability, excellent flexibility, good electrochemical/thermal stability, great optical property, and good process-ability. This chapter provides comprehensive information on the development strategies of graphene- based functional textiles and their diverse applications. Different approaches for preparing functional textiles, fundamental aspects of graphene, graphene synthesis routes, and graphene application techniques on textile substrates, as well as the influence of graphene treatment parameters and substrate types on the functional properties of graphene-based textiles are summarized. Various graphene synthesis routes, such as mechanical exfoliation, chemical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition, epitaxial growth, and chemical synthesis, as well as different application techniques of graphene on textile substrates namely vacuum filtration, brush coating, printing, wet transfer of monolayer films, and dip coating are critically reviewed. The application perspective of graphene-based textiles having different functionalities, such as being electrically and thermally conductive, and properties such as electrical heating, UV-protecting, hydrophobic, antimicrobial, photocatalytic, EMI shielding, capacitors, energy storage, and piezo-resistive sensors are highlighted.