Creation of self-cleaning polyester fabric with TiO2 nanoparticles via a simple exhaustion process: Conditions optimization and stain decomposition pathway

Abstract

Polyester fabric was loaded with TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) by a high temperature pressure exhaustion process, and then characterized by FE-SEM, XRD and XPS as well as evaluated with respect to photocatalytic activity and self-cleaning performance. Some factors affecting the loading process including size and concentration of TiO2 NPs, temperature, pH and inorganic salt were also investigated. The results indicated that temperature elevation enhanced the loading of TiO2 NPs on polyester fabric, and 130°C was critical temperature to obtain a loaded fabric with highest TiO2 NPs content. Increasing size and concentration of TiO2 NPs and pH level or addition of inorganic salts led to a high TiO2 NPs content. However, the loaded polyester fabrics prepared with large size of TiO2 NPs, at high pH level or addition of NaCl showed the lower photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, this loading process could increase the washing and abrasion resistance of the loaded fabric. Several stains including three organic dyes as well as coffee and red wine could be decomposed on the loaded fabric under UV or solar irradiation. Finally, decomposition pathway of Rhodamine B as a model stain on the self-cleaning polyester fabric was identified and proposed.