Fibers and Textiles for Personal Protective Equipment: Review of Recent Progress and Perspectives on Future Developments

This article reviews recent developments in fibers and textiles for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) applications. Fibers are grouped into six categories: highly extensible elastomeric fibers, cellulose-based commodity synthetic high strength inorganic materials, performance polymer fibers. New with include polyester-based elastic shape memory polyurethane. In the case of environmentally friendly processes nanotechnology-enabling treatments developed natural where attempts made to transfer interesting attributes feedstock regenerated cellulose Commodity comprise polyolefins, polyester, polyamide; they have seen terms surface functionalization formation structures at nanoscale. basalt carbonaceous materials found increased use PPE. Boron is also generating considerable interest coatings. Research on high-performance includes further improving their short- long-term performance, moving nanoscale new functionalities, exploring recyclability. An additional section describes a series special textile relevant PPE involving 3D structures, auxetic shear thickening fabrics, nanoporous phase change some specially designed textile-based composite improved protection against mechanical hazards. The ends perspectives promising avenues developments.