Issue 14, 2025, Issue in Progress

Functional coatings for textiles: advancements in flame resistance, antimicrobial defense, and self-cleaning performance

Abstract

The continuous evolution of textile technologies has led to innovative functional coatings that enhance protective textiles by integrating flame retardancy, antimicrobial efficacy, and self-cleaning properties. These multifunctional coatings address the growing demand for high-performance materials in healthcare, military, and industrial applications. This study reviews advancements in coating techniques, including dip-coating, spray-coating, sol–gel processes, and layer-by-layer assembly, highlighting their effectiveness in imparting durability, thermal stability, and biological activity to textile substrates. The incorporation of bioactive materials such as chitosan, silver nanoparticles, and plant-derived antimicrobials has demonstrated enhanced pathogen resistance and prolonged fabric functionality. Furthermore, recent developments in phosphorus-based flame retardants and photocatalytic self-cleaning agents, including titanium dioxide and silica nanoparticles, have contributed to the sustainability of functional textiles by reducing environmental impact. Challenges remain in achieving compatibility among diverse functional components while maintaining mechanical integrity and user comfort. Scalability and cost-efficiency also present barriers to commercialization, necessitating cross-disciplinary collaboration among material scientists, engineers, and regulatory experts. Future research should focus on biodegradable alternatives, smart-responsive coatings, and advanced nanomaterial integration to enhance the longevity and eco-friendliness of protective textiles. As industry standards shift towards sustainability, functional coatings are poised to redefine textile applications, offering tailored solutions that balance safety, performance, and environmental responsibility. This review underscores the transformative potential of multifunctional textile coatings and their role in advancing next-generation protective fabrics.

Graphical abstract: Functional coatings for textiles: advancements in flame resistance, antimicrobial defense, and self-cleaning performance

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Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
27 Feb 2025
Accepted
10 Mar 2025
First published
08 Apr 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Adv., 2025,15, 10984-11022

Functional coatings for textiles: advancements in flame resistance, antimicrobial defense, and self-cleaning performance

J. Ghosh, N. S. Rupanty, T. Noor, T. R. Asif, T. Islam and V. Reukov, RSC Adv., 2025, 15, 10984 DOI: 10.1039/D5RA01429H

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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