Antibacterial Properties of Rayon Fibers Containing Titanium Oxide Photocatalyst

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Rayon fiber with the addition of titanium oxide (TiO2) silica (SiO2) complex was prepared, and its antibacterial property was mainly examined. When UV irradiation was applied to the fiber using a fade meter, the fiber with the addition of titanium oxide silica complex showed higher tensile strength even before UV irradiation and the degree of degradation of the fiber properties due to UV irradiation was small, compared with the rayon fiber with the addition of general titanium oxide phtocatalyst not containing silica. The antibacterial activity of the rayon fibers with the addition of the titanium oxide silica complex of different particle sizes was examined. The results showed that with a particle size of 90 nm, antibacterial activity was not recognized when the addition was 7.5% (w/w) or less, and it was seen with the addition of 10.0% (w/w). On the other hand, with the particle size of 30 nm, antibacterial activity was sufficiently expressed with the addition of only 5.0% (w/w). In addition, the surface of the fiber was observed with a scanning electron microscope. In the fiber with the addition of titanium oxide silica complex of 90 nm particle size, ruggedness appeared on the fiber surface when the addition reached 10.0% (w/w). However, in the case of 30 nm particle size, ruggedness appeared with the addition of 5.0% (w/w) and outcropping particles were seen. The results showed that there was agreement between the surface condition of the fiber and the expression of antibacterial activity, and that prediction of the antibacterial property of the rayon fiber with the addition of titanium oxide became possible through the SEM observation of the fiber surface. The rayon fiber developed by this research has been proven to show a very excellent antibacterial property.