Preparation of Electroconductive, Antibacterial, Photoactive Cotton Fabric Through Green Synthesis of ZnO/reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite

Abstract

In this study, a simple and environment friendly approach was used to prepare the multifunctional composite fabrics via coating ZnO/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite on the surface of cotton without any chemical reducing agent. Graphene oxide was coated on to commercial cotton fabric by dipping the fabric in graphene oxide solution and drying in an oven. The nanocomposite was synthesized on cotton fabric in a single step by reduction of zinc acetate and graphene oxide with pomegranate juice in the impregnation bath. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the successful formation of ZnO/graphene nanocomposite on the fabric surface. The treated fabric had superior photocatalytic property in methylene blue degradation, and had excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Furthermore, the electrical resistance of coated fabrics was decreased significantly by the presence of reduced graphene oxide on the surface of cotton fabrics.