Methods are provided for uniform deposition of particles on curved surfaces such as fibers and coatings formed by the particles. Particles in the size range of 10-2000 nm are deposited onto a fibrous material via electrostatic interaction between charge modified fiber material surfaces and oppositely charged particles or metal ions. Various nonmetallic, bimetallic or other charged particles are deposited onto a fibrous material via electrostatic interaction between charged modified fibrous material surfaces and oppositely charged particles. Particles can be directly assembled onto a surface of a fibrous material by controlling hydrogen bonding interactions between interfaces of fibers and functionalized particles. Metal particles can also be deposited by in situ synthesis. A method is also provided for layer-by-layer deposition of particles over a fibrous material.