Enhanced functional properties of cotton fabrics using TiO₂/SiO₂ nanocomposites

Abstract

Anatase titania (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles were prepared from natural minerals (rutile sand) using acid extraction by sol-gel method. The obtained X-ray diffraction results show that the particle possesses crystallite size of 12 nm. The colloidal silica and TiO 2 nanoparticle-embedded colloidal silica solutions were prepared using sol-gel method followed by sonication process. The particle size was measured for the prepared colloidal TiO 2 /SiO 2 sol. The prepared solution was coated on the surface of the cotton fabric through pad-dry-cure method. Elemental analysis confirms the presence of TiO 2 /SiO 2 nanocomposite along with cellulose on the surface of the fabric. The washing durability of the coated fabrics after fifth and 10th washes indicates that the nanoparticles strongly adhered to the fabric surface. The ultraviolet resistance, burning performance, and antibacterial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria of TiO 2 /SiO 2 -coated fabric were found to be better than those of un-coated fabrics before and after washing.

Sol–gel technology for innovative fabric finishing—A Review

“…The study concluded that the hybrid TiO 2 /SiO 2 nanoparticlecoated fabrics show improved multifunctional properties such as antibacterial activity, UV blocking and fire resistance which suitable for use in biomedical, industrial and defence fields [66]. Recently, another study was conducted to investigate the multifunctional properties of TiO 2 nanoparticles, which were synthesized using titanium tetraisopropoxide as the precursor in the presence of polycarboxylic acid and sodium hypophosphite as catalyst [67].…”

“…Dhineshbabu et al [66] have coated sol-gel anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles and also TiO 2 nanoparticles bind with silica (SiO 2 ) on cotton fabrics by pad-dry-cure method. The study concluded that the hybrid TiO 2 /SiO 2 nanoparticlecoated fabrics show improved multifunctional properties such as antibacterial activity, UV blocking and fire resistance which suitable for use in biomedical, industrial and defence fields [66].…”

Wet chemical preparation of herbal nanocomposites from medicinal plant leaves for enhanced coating on textile fabrics with multifunctional properties

“…UV transmission spectra (Lambda 35; Perkin Elmer, USA) were used to test the UV blocking property of the herbal nanocomposites coated fabrics with the wavelength region from 280 to 400 nm as reported from our previous studies [39].…”

Sol-Gel Applications in Textile Finishing Processes

“…Dhineshbabu et al [47] studied the UV-protection, antibacterial, and flame retardancy properties of cotton fabric treated with colloidal sols containing TEOS as precursor and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as stabilizer and TiO 2 nanoparticles produced by sol-gel process. They found that UPF values of the fabric samples were greater than 50 UPF corresponding to excellent UV protection after even 10 washing cycles.…”

“…Thus, their burning performance improved after the treatment and nearly 70% of this performance was preserved after 10 washing cycles. The study revealed that the fabric samples had good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with, respectively, 18 and 15 mm diameter of inhibition zone because of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation mechanism of TiO 2 nanoparticles [47].…”