Advances in the textile industry through surface-initiated reversible deactivation radical polymerization: Exploring the latest advances, opportunities, and future directions in precise tailoring textile properties by well-defined polymers

Abstract

Textiles, regardless of their composition – whether natural fibers like cotton and silk or synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, play a significant role in everyday use across multiple sectors, including clothing, home furnishings, and medical hygiene products. However, their utility can be effectively expanded through targeted modifications by altering surface properties with polymers. This results in a significant improvement in the overall quality and durability of the product, meeting consumer expectations effectively. In this comprehensive overview, we delve into advances in textile modification using reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) methods, in particular, we explore atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) techniques. Through these strategies, well-defined polymers can be synthesized on natural or synthetic fiber surfaces to provide coatings with improved properties such as hydrophilicity, oleophobicity, dyeability etc. The specific advantage of these methods, compared to other polymerization techniques and forms of chemical modification, lies in their ability to achieve precise control over the structure of grafted polymers. This precise control enables tailored adjustments to the properties of the resulting materials, catering to specialized applications.