MICROENCAPSULATION IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY

The future of textiles lies in the development of new fibres and fabrics. The recent advancements in textile engineering has been truly innovative where aesthetics is given equal importance with performance. Microencapsulation is an innovative micropackaging technology which is opening up new marketing opportunities for performance in apparel markets. These new textiles can look attractive, feel good, perform well and now can even benefit wearers health. In microencapsulation, the microfibers are engineered with substances suspended in minute bubbles that can be gradually released. It involves the production of hollow microcapsules which acts as tiny containers for the solids or liquids made of a wide range of products including medications, natural remedies, vitamins, UV-blockers, anti-microbial/ anti-bacterial agents, mosquito and insect repellent, moisturizers, essential oils and perfumes. These microcapsules are invisible to naked eye and yet can have dramatic effect. The microcapsules release their core contents under controlled conditions to suit a specific purpose. They are produced by depositing a thin polymer coating on small solid particles or liquid droplets, or on dispersions of solids in liquids. The core contents- the active substance may be released by friction, by pressure, by diffusion through the polymer wall, by dissolution of the polymer wall coating or by biodegradation. Although microencapsulation methods have been in existence since the 1940s it was not until the 1980s and 1990s that applications for textiles were developed. The technique has made a considerable progress in the fields of phase- change materials for thermogulation, in aroma therapy, and in controlled release of fragrances. A new field is opening up for cosmeto- textiles which are capable of imparting skin- care benefits, combating ageing and promoting a feeling of wellness or well being. Thermochromic and photochromic dyes have been used to make garments that changes colour when they are exposed to temperature variation or to sunlight. Anti microbial and deodorising finishes offer great potential for freshness retention during wear for intimate garments and for garments worn during periods of strenuous activity. The controlled release of active substrates also offers opportunities in the medical textile field. Insect repellent and insect resist treatments demonstrate higher levels of performance if microencapsulated. Flame retardant finishes could be microencapsulated to improve the durability of the treatment to leaching, and dry cleaning. There is also a greater interest in developing substantially enhanced chemical

protection for the military and other users particularly from decontamination of hazardous chemicals and chemical warfare agent.

Aswathy Unnikrishnan