Abstract
This review article is undertaken with a view to survey important scientific research and developmental works pertaining to antibacterial modification of textiles using nanotechnology as a new means to achieve such textiles. Inevitably, conventional antimicrobial agents and their applications to textiles are reported. This is followed by a focus on inorganic nanostructured materials that acquire good antibacterial activity and application of these materials to the textiles. Evaluation of the antibacterial efficacy is described. An outlook which envisions the importance of using nanotechnology in the antibacterial finishing of textiles is also outlined. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.