Graphene is an extremely lightweight material with unique electrical and mechanical properties. It’s also non-toxic, antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and more. Due to its various properties, graphene finds wide applications in textiles and fashion.
Graphene fabrics can be used in sportswear and winter clothing such as graphene jackets, battery-powered heating jackets, gloves, leggings, basics like shirts, and socks, among other types of clothing.
Graphene solution is produced to adhere better to cotton fibers. It sticks like dye but prevents erosion. The textile industry applies graphene solution to cotton fabric. It is then heat-treated to improve electrical conductivity. Graphene solution acts as an excellent conductor even after several washes.
1. Characteristics of Graphene Fabric
1.1. Electrical and Thermal Conductivity
Graphene fibers allow textile manufacturers to produce smart clothing that can detect tumors, blood clots, muscle issues, and circulation problems. This is due to the thermal and electrical conductivity of graphene.
For thermography analysis, graphene fabric acts as a thermal sensor. If the textile industry produces smart clothing for athletes, they will detect muscle issues by wearing graphene-enhanced fabric.
1.2. Waterproof and Breathable
Graphene fibers are waterproof and very lightweight. Therefore, they are suitable for producing substitutes for clothing and synthetic Neoprene swimsuits. With excellent moisture resistance, graphene clothing does not absorb sweat.
As graphene is a super breathable material, it not only keeps you warm on cold days but also keeps you cooler on hot days.
1.3. Bacterial Cell Toxicity
Graphene is toxic to bacterial cells as materials made from graphene destroy bacteria by breaking down bacterial membranes. Therefore, the antibacterial properties of graphene make it suitable for producing clothing for everyone to protect them from bacterial infections.
It also has an antibacterial and odor-resistant layer created by graphene.
2. Applications of Graphene in Fashion
Smart Clothing: In the textile industry, graphene fibers can be used to incorporate chemical sensing properties into clothing to produce clothing with electrical and semiconductor properties.
Because graphene has a high modulus of elasticity and good deformability, it is suitable for producing maternity wear and sportswear.
By combining the elasticity and electrical conductivity of graphene, the textile industry can produce smart maternity clothing that allows monitoring of fetal movement, fetal heart rate, maternal blood pressure, and body temperature.
Due to its extremely high hardness, woven fabrics can use it to make bulletproof vests and armor.
Battery-powered heating jackets also demonstrate the use of graphene to help maintain body temperature and heat conduction. When you wear a graphene jacket for a long time, it will absorb body heat to keep you warm for longer.
3. Advantages of Graphene Clothing
Graphene clothing helps enhance health as it keeps bacteria away. Additionally, the process of coating fibers such as cotton with graphene creates breathable fabrics.
Because graphene fibers are warm and dry, they are ideal for winter as they keep your body warm and dry. When mixed with cotton wool or linen, graphene fibers can also produce various other winter clothing, keeping you dry and warm throughout the rainy and winter seasons.
The fabric is highly durable, breathable, insulating, antibacterial, antistatic, and multifunctional.
