The photocatalytic activities of nano-titanium dioxide on the cotton fabrics for self-cleaning properties

Abstract

The study of photocatalysis of nano titanium dioxideon the cotton fabrics have been investigatedthrough self-cleaning properties. The mini-emulsion technique was employed to prepare the encapsulation of titanium dioxide nano particles in polystyrene beads prior used. The mini-emulsion was coated on the cotton fabrics using Pad-dry method.The loading amount of TiO2particles into the mini-emulsion were various from 1%wt to 40%wt. The particles sizes of the TiO2-encapsulated polystyrene mini-emulsion were investigated by dynamic light scattering. It was noticed that the particle size of the mini-emulsion was in the range of 100- 200 nm. The morphology of treated cotton fabrics were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The crystal structure of TiO2-encapsulated PS mini emulsion which coated on cotton fabrics were examined by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. In order to investigate the photocatalytic activities of TiO2 through the selfcleaning characteristics of the cotton fabrics, colorant stains were created on the samples. Coffee stains were used as colorant organic stains. The result shown that the coffee stained on the cotton fabrics significantly showed the improving of the self-cleaning properties under UV radiation.