Synthesis of nano-zinc oxide with different morphologies and its application on fabrics for UV protection and microbe-resistant defense clothing

Abstract

A liquid precipitation method was used to prepare zinc oxide nanoparticles in three diverse media: water, methanol, and ethylene glycol. The studied materials were examined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction patterns showed a hexagonal Wurtzite structure of zinc oxide with a nanocrystalline size. Acquired powders showed different morphologies (rod, star, and spherical structures), which were affected by the nature of the solvent in the reaction. The different zinc oxide powders have varied optical band gaps. Scanning electron microscopy examinations confirmed the arrangement of nano-zinc oxide on the surfaces of the materials. The zinc oxide-covering procedure was carried out on cotton, polyester, and 50/50 wt% polyester/cotton blended fabrics using a simple dip and curing system. The cotton fabric treated with nanorod zinc oxide exhibited the highest ultraviolet protection factor with a value of 247.2. The antimicrobial properties of untreated and treated fabrics with nano-zinc oxide were measured against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), and diploid fungus (Candida albicans). The results showed the antimicrobial action relies on the morphological structure and the particle size of zinc oxide and that it increases with a reduced particle size. The cotton fabric treated with 26 nm nonspherical zinc oxide particles showed the highest antimicrobial efficiency with values of 91.4%, 86.8%, and 84.7% for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, respectively. The mechanical properties of treated fabrics were studied. The results confirm that nano-zinc oxide is highly useful for improving the performance of defense textile products because of its biocompatibility, environmental friendliness, and nontoxicity.

Coloration and Multi-Functionalization of Polypropylene Fabrics with Selenium Nanoparticles

“…Table 4 lists the results of the UV light protection characterization. The SeNPs-PP fabric effectively blocked UV radiation; based on the AATCC test criteria: if UPF of any fabric is more than 40as the fabric is a UV-defensive material [ 55 ].…”

Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2020

“…A range of nanoparticles are applied either directly to the surface of textile fibres or used in fibre coatings to increase their UV-shielding properties. Most continuing current research on this approach is focused on nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO) [ 462 – 464 ] and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) [ 465 – 469 ]. All reported data confirm the efficacy of this approach in increasing UPF of fabrics.…”

“…The optical bandgap of ZnO nanoparticles (26 nm) is particle-geometry dependent and rod- shaped-particles show the highest value compared to spherical or star-shaped nanoparticles. Nanorods of ZnO absorb incident solar UV-A as well as UV-B radiation [ 464 ]. For cotton and polyester, coating the fibre with the nanorods resulted in UPF values of 247.…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Zinc Oxide Nano/Microparticles and Their Combinations against Pathogenic Microorganisms for Biomedical Applications: From Physicochemical Characteristics to Pharmacological Aspects

“…At this point, it is believed that the solvent in the solvothermal technique is a critical parameter in the synthesis of ZnO NPs, which results in differentiated morphology. Star-shaped ZnO NPs were also synthesized at 31 nm using liquid precipitation for preparing microorganism-protective defense clothing on cotton or polyester fabrics due to their biocompatibility [ 62 ]. Using co-precipitation, flake-shaped ZnO NPs were prepared at 32 nm size for enhanced antimicrobial performance [ 63 ].…”