The aim of this work was to obtain anatase nano‐TiO2 by the sol–gel method at room temperature and to achieve self‐cleaning Bombyx mori silk fabrics. Nano‐TiO2 sols based on an aqueous system and an ethanol system were prepared separately by the sol–gel method using tetrabutyl orthotitanate as a precursor at room temperature. Particle size analyses showed that nano‐TiO2 particles in an aqueous system were much bigger and more variant than those in ethanol. X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed a pure anatase phase of nano‐TiO2 in an aqueous system. Crystalline transformation of TiO2 from anatase to rutile by photoradiation at ambient temperature was also proved. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analyses confirmed the phase transformation of nano‐TiO2. A scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy‐dispersive spectrometer was used to investigate the surface morphology and elements of Bombyx mori silk fabrics. The contact angles with water, the kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue, and decontamination of red‐wine‐stained fabrics under ultraviolet radiation demonstrated that the fabrics had good self‐cleaning properties and photoinduced hydrophilicity.
Nano titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) sols were prepared by sol-gel method with tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT) as precursors, citric acid (CA) as inhibitors. Ultraviolet resistant capacity of finished cotton fabrics are greatly improved with good wrinkle-resistance, whiteness and tensile strength as well. The optimum molar ratio for preparing nano-TiO 2 sols in this study is n[ C for 3 min. Aggregated nano-TiO 2 particles on surfaces of finished cotton fibers both washed and unwashed were investigated by high resolution cold field emission scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Esterification crosslinking between CA and cotton fibers were also demonstrated through infrared spectra. After a five-time's wash, ultraviolet protection factor of finished cotton fabrics with nano-TiO 2 sols is up to 117.42 and dry crease recovery angles increase by 30.2 with slightly improved whiteness, while the breaking strength decreases by 18.8%.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) dispersions were obtained by neutralising anatase nano‐titanium dioxide sols prepared by hydrolysing tetrabutyl titanate in acidic aqueous media. Pyrite was initially prepared via the microwave‐assisted method with a mixed solvent of ethylene glycol and small amounts of water, and was then used in sensitising micron‐sized titanium dioxide particles to obtain aramid fabrics with self‐cleaning properties. X‐ray diffraction demonstrated the crystalline structure of pyrite, and ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐vis) spectrum and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy characterised the band gaps, surface status on fabrics and the distribution of the pyrite compound's titanium dioxide particles. The contact angle, UV protection factor (UPF) and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) were used to evaluate the performance of treated aramid fabrics. Results show that pyrite‐sensitised titanium dioxide compounds obtained at pH 5 have smaller band gap energies and relatively poor wetting abilities, higher UPF values, and perform well in the photocatalytic degradation of MB. The pseudo‐first kinetic model was used to analyse elaborate sections of the curve for the degradation of MB.
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