Facile fabrication of robust fluorine-free self-cleaning cotton textiles with superhydrophobicity, photocatalytic activity, and UV durability

Abstract

We present a facile and an inexpensive approach to prepare robust fluorine-free self-cleaning cotton textiles by surface modification with anatase TiO2 sol and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using a simple dip-coating method. The synergetic effect of the anatase TiO2 particles and PDMS was critical and essential for obtaining a superhydrophobic coating with photocatalytic activity and UV durability. The coated cotton textiles not merely exhibited desirable superhydrophobic property with a water contact angle (WCA) of 153.8°, but also performed the considerable photocatalytic activity by the decomposition of oil red O under UV exposure. Importantly, the as-obtained self-cleaning cotton textiles were stable under various harsh conditions such as acidic, alkaline, corrosive organic solutions, and laundering. Moreover, the coated cotton textiles could also maintain its superhydrophobicity when exposed to long-term UV irradiation, displaying its excellent UV resistance. Therefore, this simple preparation approach can be regarded as a promising way to construct self-cleaning surfaces for scale up production.