Abstract
Increasing demand for specialized textiles, especially high performance technical products, can be observed world-wide. Therefore, intensive research work concentrates on the development of new methods for specific modification or functionalization of synthetic fiber surfaces to achieve improved or even new properties. Two of these methods are described in detail. One is an innovative method for textile finishing that involves modification of fiber material with organically modified ceramics, which combine advantages of organic polymers and ceramics. These materials are part of the nanotechnology. Another approach to create specific surface properties involves photochemical and/or physical modifications using excimer-UV-light sources. These special light sources emit monochromatic radiation that allows well-defined modification processes.