Functional finishes on textile fabrics: The potential of nanostructures of cellulose and lignin

Nanostructures have gained increasing attention for their ability to impart novel functionalities to materials, yet their application in sustainable textile finishing remains limited. The textile industry continues to face challenges in developing coatings that combine performance, durability, and environmental responsibility. In this context, renewable nanostructures such as nanocellulose and nanolignin represent promisimg alternatives for integrating bio-based materials into textile coatings while reducing dependence on fully synthetic agents. As a functional finishing approach for textile applications, this study coated cotton fabrics with cellulose and lignin nanostructures. To improve the adhesion of these nanostructures, the exhaust method was employed along with binders during the nanocoating process. Glycerol and silicone elastomer were applied as binding agents under different coating conditions. The morphology, surface wettability, color variation, and mechanical properties of the coated fabrics were evaluated. Nanocoating produced a heterogeneous surface layer, especially with silicone, and adhesion improved when a fixing agent was applied. Both glycerol and silicone proved effective as binders: glycerol enhanced flexibility and tensile strength, while silicone increased adhesion and weight gain. Treatments with nanolignin and silicone produced hydrophobic surfaces, whereas those with nanocellulose and glycerol were predominantly hydrophilic. Nanocellulose treatments showed minimal color variations, while lignin-based coatings resulted in darker tones. These findings demonstrate that wood-derived nanostructures can effectively modify cotton fabrics, combining renewable and synthetic components to create functional and more sustainable textile finishes. Overall, this work represents a relevant step toward integration of bio-based materials in advanced textile surface modification.