Ionic Liquids as Green Sustainable Materials in Textiles

Abstract

Textile industry is one of the major pollution causing sector which needs totally an eco-friendly process instead of traditional ones. From harvesting crops or synthesizing fibers which requires very large quantities of water with extreme chemicals, to discarded fabrics causing environmental damages, textile industry requires a complete green processing method. Green solvent like ionic liquids (ILs) are emerging as a new substitute in the textile engineering processes. ILs are formed by mainly organic cations and organic/inorganic anions having many attractive physicochemical properties like high conductivity, low vapor pressure, good thermal stability etc. Here, we have discussed how ILs can be involved in textile processing like coloring of fabric or introducing novel properties, and pollution control. Thus, great efforts are being made worldwide to show a cleaner production structure to decline the toxicity and environmental threat of textile chemicals. Ultimately the goal is to increases sustainability and provides an opportunity to make novel generations of textile processes and also produce high-valued innovative textiles for greater purpose.