Effect of the coating of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with binder on the functional and mechanical properties of cotton fabric

Abstract

In present study the effect of nano ZnO coating on cotton fabric has been investigated and the results are compared with uncoated fabric. ZnO nanoparticles are embedded on the fabric surface by mechanical thermo-fixation technique with an acrylic-based binder and without binder. Synthesized nanoparticles are examined by XRD analysis and found about 65 nm in size. The coated fabric surface is characterized by SEM and EDS which confirms the nano ZnO deposition and distribution on the fabric surface. Antimicrobial activity, Ultra Violate (UV) protection power, and crease resistance are measured to investigate the functional properties. The important mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tearing strength, bending length, and frictional resistance are measured and analyzed. The results show that binder has a significant role on nanoparticle deposition as well as functional and mechanical properties. The coated fabric with binder shows high performance against microorganisms. It provides about 92% bacterial reduction against Staphylococcus aureus and 86% against Escherichia coli. This fabric also shows high UV protection ability by blocking 90% of UV rays. The crease resistance power is also found good for the treated fabric. By comparison of results, it can be found that the binder helps to fix more nanoparticles and hence high improvements of functional properties are achieved. Also, degradation of some mechanical properties can be observed by the application of binder.