Functionalization of textile materials by using copper-containing coatings and pigments

Copper is one of the most used industrial metals. Also, copper containing compounds have high importance in everyday life. The use of copper and its compounds for textile treatment and functionalization is possible by using a broad range of different methods; as e.g. electrodeposition, plasma deposition, spin-doping with copper containing pigment or dye applications using copper salts as mordants or complexing agents. This actual report focusses especially on the use of copper containing pigments applied as part of a coating or a print onto textile surfaces. A general introduction into different types of copper compounds is given. Examples are given for the application of coatings containing copper effect pigments, gold bronze, elemental copper pigments and copper oxide particles. Related to effect pigments, especially silver coated copper pigments are introduced. According to sol-gel applications for textile functionalization, the in-situ preparation of copper oxide nanoparticles on textile surfaces is discussed. Following an overview on possible functionalization as result of the copper application is given. Antimicrobial and antistatic properties are discussed and presented with examples. The determined effects in this field are significant but less compared to analogous functionalization using silver as functional compound. A view on optical modifications and realized UV-protective properties is given. Finally, it can be stated that copper containing materials can be helpful tools to functionalize textile materials and surfaces in a broad range.