Novel corona discharge treatment of cotton fabric with Cu and ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate coating of copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles on cotton fabric by using corona discharge in two ways of pre-treatment and post-treatment. In pre-treatment method, cotton fabrics were modified by corona discharge before coating separately with nanoparticles. In post-treatment, cotton fabrics were coated separately with ZnO and Cu nanoparticles before treating by corona discharge. Self-cleaning properties of treated fabrics were determined by staining methylene blue dye. The antibacterial tests, Scanning electron microscopy and FTIR/ATR analysis were carried out to observe antibacterial performance, surface morphology and analyze the surface chemical structure, respectively. Atomic absorption spectroscopy and water droplet adsorption were used for the determination of metal ion content, and water adsorption. Results showed that by pre-treatment method of corona discharge, absorption of copper nanoparticles was increased, and self-cleaning effect and antibacterial performance of copper nanoparticles were higher than post-treatment. ZnO nanoparticles had highest self-cleaning and antibacterial effect by pre-treatment method. By post-treatment method, the photocatalyst activity of ZnO nanoparticles was decreased.