Advanced Application of Recycled Textile Generated from Waste in Military Application Using Nanotechnology

Abstract

Due to high consumption in recent decades, the accumulation of textile waste has increased significantly. The generated waste textiles can be utilized for making value-added products via recycling approaches. Advances in nanotechnology have also shown great potential in textile modification that can be utilized in making smart, robust, and protective textiles integrated with wearable sensing technologies. Cellulose, as the major textile component, has been modified with nanotechnology-based approaches to incorporate flame retardance, mechanical strength, and anti-microbial features, along with stimuli response. The essential requirement of textiles for military applications is self-cleaning and dirt-free textiles; health monitoring; anti-static; anti-allergic; improved wear and tear resistance; capable to minimize injuries, infections, and accidents; security; and comfort. Furthermore, nanotechnology-based modification can equip textiles with sensing technologies for monitoring vital signs; detection of warfare, explosives, and devices; supercapacitors; and batteries for power storage. The utilization of textile wastes in fabricating smart textiles for military applications using nanotechnology is an innovative and upcoming research area. The current chapter discusses textile recycling technologies, nanotechnology modification strategies, and the potential of recycled and modified textiles for military-based applications to improve security, comfort, surveillance, and protection from hazardous situations. © 2025 Scrivener Publishing LLC.