A sustainable and cost effective surface functionalization of cotton fabric using TiO2 hydrosol produced in a pilot scale: Condition optimization, sunlight-driven photocatalytic activity and practical applications

Abstract

This paper aimed to develop a successful multi-functional finishing of cotton fabric with TiO2 hydrosol produced on a pilot-scale as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to the market dominating nano TiO2 powders. The surface morphology, crystalline phase and photocatalytic activity of the finished fabric was evaluated and compared with those finished with two commercial nano TiO2 powders. The finished fabric was tested for its ability to decompose indoor formaldehyde and to self-clean three different stains under illumination. The results indicated that 130 °C is the optimal curing temperature to obtain the finished fabric with higher TiO2 loading and catalytic activity. Increasing the pH of the TiO2 hydrosol enhanced the TiO2 loading, however, led to a lower activity. The catalytic activity of the TiO2 hydrosol finished fabric was similar to or higher than that of finished fabric with nano TiO2 powders. The catalytic activity of the hydrosol finished fabric was found to be sunlight-driven and greatly dependent on weather conditions. This finished fabric shows excellent decomposition of indoor formaldehyde and self-cleaning performance on different stains under compact fluorescent or solar irradiation.