Abstract
Smart polymers are materials which can show noticeable changes in their properties with environmental stimulation. Novel functionalities can be delivered to textiles by integrating smart polymers into them. Smart polymers including thermal-, moisture- and light-responsive polymers, and thermal- and pH-responsive hydrogels, have been applied to textiles to improve or achieve textile smart functionalities. The functionalities include aesthetic appeal, comfort, drug release, fantasy design (colour changing), wound monitoring, smart wetting properties, and protection against extreme environmental variations. In this chapter, the applications of smart polymers in textiles and the clothing sector are elucidated; the associated constraints on fabrication of textiles and their potential applications in the near future are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Smart Polymers and their Applications |
| Publisher | Elsevier Ltd |
| Pages | 437-475 |
| Number of pages | 39 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780857096951 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2014 |
Keywords
- Moisture-responsive polymer
- PH-responsive hydrogel
- Smart textiles
- Thermal-responsive hydrogel
- Thermal-responsive polymer
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science