Present and future of textile industry is closely related to technical textiles concept. These particular kind of textile products are conceived to be used in added value niche markets: health and medical sectors, naval, aeronautic and automotive industries, defense, construction and building, etc. Within this research project, polypropylene fibers are functionalized by adding silver nanoparticles so these technical products could exhibit permanent antibacterial and antifungal properties. Niche market considered for polypropylene-nanosilver fibers is medical sector.     

Development of polypropylene –nanosilver fibers has required a previous compounding operation in co-rotating twin screw extruder system. Several technical parameters like screw speed, nanosilver concentration, chemical composition and concentration of compatibilizer agents have been analyzed in order to measure the influence of them on homogeneity of mixtures. Some other experimental parameters like draw ratio of fibers and silver nanoparticles concentration have been evaluated in regard of thermal, mechanical and bioactive properties of new fibers developed. It is important to note that polypropylene-nanosilver fibers have been produced in monocomponent and sheath-core bicomponent configurations.

X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are the analytical techniques employed to study the dispersion of silver nanoparticles in polypropylene matrix. Thermal stability of compounds has been measured by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Bioactive tests have been also performed on polypropylene-nanosilver fibers in terms of antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic properties.

Finally, once finished the experimental work, the project has been evaluated under economical feasibility point of view. A case study based on an industrial start-up project to produce polypropylene-nanosilver yarns has been carried out.