Use of chitosan in surface modification of textile materials

Textiles have long undergone surface modification to improve their softness, dyeability, absorbance, and wettability. Recent advances in textile chemistry have also approached textile surface modification to impart antimicrobial activity, decreased skin irritation, and even enhancing fragrance. Chitosan is an effective natural antimicrobial agent derived from Chitin, a major component in crustacean shells. Chitosan applied to textiles has been widely studied for effects such as shrink resistance, improved dye uptake, and as auxiliary or anti-static agents, etc., because of the low toxicity and good biocompatibility of this natural polymer. Coatings of Chitosan on conventional fibres appear to be the more realistic prospect since, they do not provoke an immunological response. In this article, I summarize some of the most recent development in surface modification of textile using chitosan.