One-step hydrothermal method to prepare superhydrophobic cotton fabric with antibacterial properties

Abstract

Superhydrophobic antibacterial cotton fabric can be widely applied in outdoor clothing, hospital bedding, and other fields. However, the existing manufacturing methods are difficult or complicated. Herein, a facile and straightforward fabrication strategy is proposed via a one-step hydrothermal method to construct micro-nanometer hierarchical structure with low surface energy on fabric. In an appropriate amount, 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFOTES) and tetrabutyl titanate (TBT) were mixed in a hydrothermal reactor to generate titanium dioxide. Meanwhile, the PFOTES agent was hydrolyzed and condensed, bonded with titanium dioxide, and finally grafted onto the fiber together. Morphology and elements results demonstrated that the fabric surface was covered by the TiO2 nanoparticles with superhydrophobic coating. The chemical bonds of Si-O-Ti, Ti-O-C, and Ti-O-Ti revealed the structural relationship between TiO2 with PFOTES and cotton fibers. The water contact angle of the fabric obtained can reach to 168°. The fluorinated-TiO2 cotton fabric showed high antibacterial properties in visible light against E. coli and S. aureus. This simple method of preparing superhydrophobic and antibacterial fabric exhibited great potential in the field of functional textiles such as outdoor garments and hospital-related applications.