Johnston J.H., Richardson M.J., Burridge K.A., Kelly F.M.
Victoria University of Wellington, NZ
Keywords: colourant, gold nanoparticle, synthetic fibre, textile, wool fibre
Gold nanoparticles which exhibit different colours due to surface plasmon resonance scattering effects are used here as stable colourants on wool and synthetic fibres. This provides the exciting opportunity to link nanoscience with high value fashion textiles and the inherent prestige gold. Also, gold nanoparticle colourants cannot fade or denature in light, as traditional organic dyes do. Gold nanoparticles about 10 nm in size are red. As the particle size increases to about 50-70 nm the colour progressively shifts through the visible spectrum to violet, thereby providing a range of colours. Interestingly, the red colour of some glass windows in centuries old cathedrals where-in colloidal gold was added to the glass melt, is due to this effect. Proprietary nanoscience and nanotechnology have been developed to prepare gold nanoparticles by the controlled reduction of the Au3+ ion to Au0 and to incorporate them as stable colourants into a variety of wool and synthetic fibres and their corresponding fabrics and textiles. Control of the nanosize of the particles and their binding onto the fibre are critical and govern their use in this interesting application. This research and development work will be presented.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2008: Materials, Fabrication, Particles, and Characterization – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 712 - 715
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Nanoparticle Synthesis & Applications
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8503-7