Advanced Chemical Applications of Modified Cotton

Lightweight and flexible electronics are gaining popularity, especially in wearable technologies, because they allow a safe, healthy, and comfortable life. Cotton materials are among the most attractive substrates, given that they are inexpensive, environmentally benign, light, accessible, and processable. Incorporation of conductive materials onto cotton textiles modifies their surface chemistry by allowing free movement of electrons and other atomic species like radicals in metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles, delocalization of π-electrons with high mobility owed to the continuous overlap of π-orbitals along the backbone of conductive polymers, and free transfer of charges. On the addition to a large surface area and enhanced mechanical strength of the substrate, the conductive cotton textiles can provide chemical applications such as electrical and thermal conductivity, energy storage, sensitivity, EMI shielding, catalysis, and redox detoxification of certain pollutant chemicals in the environment. This chapter, therefore, discusses the various chemical and multi-advanced applications of modified cotton textiles, highlighting the research advancements, the active materials, and imparting techniques used