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Sustainability in Functional Textiles: Materials, Technology and Design
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Sustainability in Functional Textiles: Materials, Technology and Design

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 7219

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Isabel Cabral

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T)—Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: textile design; smart textiles; fashion and textiles; eco-design; color; colorimetry; printing; bio-based colorants; sustainability
Dr. Jorge Padrão

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), University of Minho, 4800-058 Braga, Portugal
Interests: multifunctional textiles; antimicrobial textiles; living textiles; self healing textiles; sustainability and environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainability and the growing demand for high-performance textiles are the key drivers of the development of novel functional textiles, motivating researchers and industry to develop new strategies for the mitigation of socio-environmental impacts caused by materials and processes. In addition, innovative approaches for sustainable textile design are being explored, encompassing applications ranging from material sciences to fashion. This Special Issue is dedicated to applied research on functional textiles from diverse fields, such as technical, high-performance, and smart and medical textiles, that align with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.

Dr. Isabel Cabral
Dr. Jorge Padrão
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • high-performance textiles
  • smart textiles and wearable technology
  • medical textiles
  • multifunctional textiles
  • eco-design
  • circular economy
  • biomimicry and bio-inspired
  • advanced manufacturing and nanotechnology
  • textile coloration

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3043 KB  
Article
Antibacterial and Antioxidant Performance of Natural Textile Dyes for Children’s Wear
by Diana Santiago, Behnaz Mehravani, Cátia Alves, Isabel Cabral, Joana Cunha, Andrea Zille and Jorge Padrão
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010307 - 28 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1080
Abstract
Children’s skin is highly sensitive and prone to irritation, allergies, and infections, requiring special consideration in textile selection. Although clothing serves as a protective barrier, it can also pose a risk when dyed with toxic chemical colourants. This study explores the potential of [...] Read more.
Children’s skin is highly sensitive and prone to irritation, allergies, and infections, requiring special consideration in textile selection. Although clothing serves as a protective barrier, it can also pose a risk when dyed with toxic chemical colourants. This study explores the potential of multifunctional natural dyes as safer alternatives for children’s clothing, particularly for those with dermatological conditions. Cotton knitted fabrics were dyed through exhaustion with extracts of madder root (Rubia tinctorum L.), pomegranate peel (Ppe, Punica granatum L.), oxidised logwood (Logox, Haematoxylum campechianum L.), and tannin from quebracho (Schinopsis lorentzii Griseb.), both individually and in various combinations with or without potassium aluminium sulphate dodecahydrate (alum). The combination of madder and Ppe demonstrated the most promising multifunctional performance, being classified as a weak disinfectant against S. aureus (3.7 log reduction) and showing the highest antioxidant activity (92.6 ± 2.56% 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical reduction), while maintaining excellent results after washing. Moreover, these natural formulations expanded the achievable colour palette from each dye while maintaining moderate wash fastness. The results highlight the relevance of these findings to textile and fashion designers, offering sustainable tools for creating health-conscious, visually appealing garments. This research reinforces the potential of natural dyes and biomordants in developing functional textiles that support children’s wellbeing and environmental responsibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Functional Textiles: Materials, Technology and Design)
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17 pages, 3881 KB  
Article
Biotextronics System for the Prevention and Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Infections
by Michał Frydrysiak, Emilia Frydrysiak and Krzysztof Śmigielski
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(23), 12448; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312448 - 24 Nov 2025
Viewed by 599
Abstract
Biotextronics is a new field of knowledge that may help in treatment of lower urinary tract inflammations. These systems have many advantages; e.g., they allow mobility while using, are easy to use, and contain natural materials. While designed and created to be controlled [...] Read more.
Biotextronics is a new field of knowledge that may help in treatment of lower urinary tract inflammations. These systems have many advantages; e.g., they allow mobility while using, are easy to use, and contain natural materials. While designed and created to be controlled via an app by the user, a doctor could have access to monitor the therapy and its frequency. It is possible to use individual functions in the application tabs: calendar, history, and an online preview. One such solution, a mobile form of a steam bath, is called BioTexPants (version 1.0). It is underwear with a biotextronics four-layer insert containing applied thyme essential oil with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Six variants of the inserts were investigated with various ratios (1:1; 1:2, and 1:3) of EO to cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose. After heating the inserts to 40 °C, the presence of essential oil volatile compounds released from the inserts was investigated with the use of SPME and CG-MS on the day of their preparation and while in storage (after 7, 14, 28, and 56 days). It is known that thymol, as a main component of the essential oil (42.29%), has very strong antibacterial activity. Its presence was detected for 56 days during storage of all the insert variants. Other compounds of the EO known for their anti-inflammatory effects are carvacrol and α-pinene, which were also detected while storage for various variants of the inserts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Functional Textiles: Materials, Technology and Design)
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16 pages, 4409 KB  
Article
Green Valorization of Alfalfa into Sustainable Lignocellulosic Films for Packaging Applications
by Sandeep Paudel and Srinivas Janaswamy
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 11889; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152211889 - 8 Nov 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1197
Abstract
Plastic-based materials dominate the packaging industry. However, their non-biodegradability has increased the need for sustainable alternatives. Biopolymers, mainly lignocellulose from agricultural residues, offer renewable, eco-friendly options in this context. This study reports the development of lignocellulosic films from alfalfa (Medicago sativa) through green [...] Read more.
Plastic-based materials dominate the packaging industry. However, their non-biodegradability has increased the need for sustainable alternatives. Biopolymers, mainly lignocellulose from agricultural residues, offer renewable, eco-friendly options in this context. This study reports the development of lignocellulosic films from alfalfa (Medicago sativa) through green valorization of its biomass. Alfalfa lignocellulosic extract (ALE) was extracted using 50% NaOH, solubilized in 68% ZnCl2, crosslinked with CaCl2, and plasticized with sorbitol. The concentrations of ALE, CaCl2, and sorbitol were optimized using the Box–Behnken Design, focusing on increasing tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EB), and reducing water vapor permeability (WVP) of the films. The optimized film formulation (0.5 g ALE, 453.8 mM CaCl2, 1.5% sorbitol) showed a TS of 11.2 ± 0.7 MPa, EB of 5.8 ± 0.9%, and WVP of 1.2 ± 0.2 × 10−10 g m−1 s−1 Pa−1. The film effectively blocked UV–Vis–IR light and exhibited notable antioxidant activity, making it suitable for packaging light-sensitive and oxidation-sensitive foods. Additionally, it achieved over 90% biodegradation within 29 days under 24% soil moisture. These findings demonstrate a sustainable approach to upcycling agricultural residues into functional products, offering a practical alternative to traditional plastics and supporting a circular bioeconomy, while adding value for alfalfa producers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Functional Textiles: Materials, Technology and Design)
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18 pages, 22638 KB  
Article
Advancing Sustainable Textile Metrology: Reflectivity Measurement with Controlled Light Sources
by Radostina A. Angelova, Elena Borisova and Daniela Sofronova
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 5305; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105305 - 9 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1753
Abstract
This study introduces an experimental method for evaluating the reflectivity of flexible textile materials under controlled lighting conditions. The proposed methodology employs a light booth and four standard illuminants (D65, TL84, Incandescent light A, and Department store light CWF), as well as a [...] Read more.
This study introduces an experimental method for evaluating the reflectivity of flexible textile materials under controlled lighting conditions. The proposed methodology employs a light booth and four standard illuminants (D65, TL84, Incandescent light A, and Department store light CWF), as well as a fixed-position lux meter to assess the reflective properties of textile samples with different knitted macrostructures. Each sample is measured against a black background, and reflectance is quantified as a ratio between the light intensity measured with and without the sample in place. The approach is especially relevant for the textile industry, as it provides valuable insights into the development of sustainable reflective materials for protective clothing and wearable technologies. By offering a repeatable, low-cost measurement technique, this method advances textile metrology, contributing to the optimization of material selection based on reflectivity needs and ensuring reliability across different lighting environments. This research supports the creation of more efficient, sustainable, and adaptive textiles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Functional Textiles: Materials, Technology and Design)
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32 pages, 3408 KB  
Review
Weaving the Future: The Role of Novel Fibres and Molecular Traceability in Circular Textiles
by Sofia Pereira de Sousa, Marta Nunes da Silva, Carlos Braga and Marta W. Vasconcelos
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010497 - 4 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1761
Abstract
The textile sector provides essential goods, yet it remains environmentally and socially intensive, driven by high water use, pesticide dependent monocropping, chemical pollution during processing, and growing waste streams. This review examines credible pathways to sustainability by integrating emerging plant-based fibres from hemp, [...] Read more.
The textile sector provides essential goods, yet it remains environmentally and socially intensive, driven by high water use, pesticide dependent monocropping, chemical pollution during processing, and growing waste streams. This review examines credible pathways to sustainability by integrating emerging plant-based fibres from hemp, abaca, stinging nettle, and pineapple leaf fibre. These underutilised crops combine favourable agronomic profiles with competitive mechanical performance and are gaining momentum as the demand for demonstrably sustainable textiles increases. However, conventional fibre identification methods, including microscopy and spectroscopy, often lose reliability after wet processing and in blended fabrics, creating opportunities for mislabelling, greenwashing, and weak certification. We synthesise how advanced molecular approaches, including DNA fingerprinting, species-specific assays, and metagenomic tools, can support the authentication of fibre identity and provenance and enable linkage to Digital Product Passports. We also critically assess environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and social assessment frameworks, including S-LCA and SO-LCA, as complementary methodologies to quantify climate burden, water use, labour conditions, and supply chain risks. We argue that aligning fibre innovation with molecular traceability and harmonised life cycle evidence is essential to replace generic sustainability claims with verifiable metrics, strengthen policy and certification, and accelerate transparent, circular, and socially responsible textile value chains. Key research priorities include validated marker panels and reference libraries for non-cotton fibres, expanded region-specific LCA inventories and end-of-life scenarios, scalable fibre-to-fibre recycling routes, and practical operationalisation of SO-LCA across diverse enterprises. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Functional Textiles: Materials, Technology and Design)
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