A simple method for functionalization of polypyrrole-coated cotton fabrics by reduced graphene oxide for UV screening

Abstract

Here, the modified Hummer’s method was used to prepare reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanostructures. The functional properties of the prepared RGO nanostructures were studied by using the X-ray diffraction method (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using the in situ polymerization process, polypyrrole (PPy) was prepared. During polymerization, an ultrasound-assisted coating process was used to coat the cotton fabrics. In addition, the Nafion@RGO composite mixture was deposited on the surface of PPy- coated cotton fabric by dip and dry method. The presence of cellulose crystal structure was confirmed by conducting a structural study of the coated and uncoated (UC) cotton fabrics. The presence of a characteristic functional group was confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–Attenuated total reflection (FTIR–ATR) study of the fabrics. Wrinkled-like morphology with a proper binding of PPy with RGO was revealed by SEM analysis. Our results showed that the RGO coated fabrics could be distributed on the cotton fabric and possessed better thermal stability and wettability properties than uncoated cotton fabric. Ultraviolet (UV)-screening properties of the coated and uncoated fabrics confirmed the better performance of the coated cotton fabrics in the order of Nafion/RGO coated fabrics (RGPC) > PPy/Cotton (PC) > UC. The transmission and screening efficiency of RGO coated fabrics were 0.02% and 99.98%, respectively. Thus the Nafion/RGO/PPy fabrics is a safe and promising UV screening and have great potential application in the all wearable textile sector.