As functional garments continue to evolve toward lightweight, intelligent, and multifunctional systems, carbon nanomaterials with outstanding structural and functional characteristics have attracted considerable attention for textile modification. This review summarizes recent research progress on graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon quantum dots, and MXene in functional clothing, with emphasis on their contributions to mechanical enhancement, electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, optical regulation, and thermal management, as well as the underlying mechanisms responsible for these improvements. These materials primarily enhance textile performance by improving interfacial interactions, constructing functional networks, and strengthening photo-thermal-electrical responses, thereby promoting the development of advanced garments for protection, sensing, and thermal regulation. Although carbon nanomaterials have demonstrated significant application potential in this field, challenges remain in durability, safety, scalable manufacturing, and the understanding of structure-property relationships. Future research should focus on the synergistic optimization of material modification and garment structural design to facilitate practical applications.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Latest research progress

3 Function-enhancing properties and mechanisms enabled by carbon nanomaterials

3.1 Mechanical strength and durability

3.2 Electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding capability

3.3 Spectral and thermal management performance

4 Design and application prospects of carbon nanomaterial-modified fabrics in mechanical protective clothing

4.1 Bulletproof vests

4.2 Stab-resistant clothing

5 Design and application prospects of carbon nanomaterial-modified fabrics in sensing and monitoring clothing

5.1 ECG monitoring clothing

5.2 Respiratory monitoring clothing

6 Design and application prospects of carbon nanomaterial-modified fabrics in temperature-regulating clothing

6.1 Electrically heated clothing

6.2 Phase-change temperature-controlled clothing

7 Summary and outlook