Preparation of hybrid nanoparticles to enhance the electrical conductivity and performance properties of cotton fabrics

Abstract

To acquire durable multifunctional cotton fabric, hybrid nanocomposites were demanded. Thus, a novel and efficient method for the synthesis of polymer grafted titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) based polypyrrole (PPy) was developed. One-step preparation with no need for the calcination step that was carried out at a very high temperature was established in an aqueous solution. The surface of the prepared nanocomposite was functionalized using 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane at room temperature to enhance the binding force towards the cellulosic surface and to form PPy/TiO2NPs/silicon nanocomposite. The prepared TiO2NPs/PPy and hybrid material of functionalized nanoparticles/silane (PPy/TiO2NPs/silicon nanocomposite) were envisaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cotton fabrics were modified under static conditions to improve the binding of the functionalized nanoparticles/silane to the surface of cotton fabric. The physical, mechanical, and biological studies of the treated fabrics have been investigated using different analytical techniques. The findings illustrated that the functionalized cotton fabrics showed good electroconductive features, resistance towards ultraviolet effect (UPF). After treatment, the cotton fabrics exhibited an enhancement in electrical conductivity and good antibacterial efficiency against both types of bacteria (gram-negative and positive bacteria). The resultant depicted that the functionalized cotton fabric treated with PPy/TiO2NPs/silicon acquired an increase in the tensile strength and crease recovery angle. Ultimately, the durability of the treatment against several washing cycles was investigated and found to be good until 20 washing cycles. From these promising data, it can be concluded that the functionalized cotton fabric treated with these prepared nanocomposites by this way can find great resonance for its application in many different fields of medical and industrial domains.