Ultrasonic effect on the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) dye by cotton fabrics loaded with TiO2

Abstract

The effect of sonication on the photodegradation of Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G, a fluorone dye) using woven cotton fabrics decorated with TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) has been investigated. TiO2 NPs were synthesized in situ by sol–gel method in the presence of cotton textile and then hydrothermally treated. TiO2-loaded fabrics were treated ultrasonically to test adhesion to- and properties of the NPs on the fabrics. We demonstrate good adhesion and a good stability of the NPs of TiO2. Moreover, sonication substantially improved the distribution on the surfaces and hence enhanced the fabrics catalytic activity. Either under UV or simulated sunlight, ultrasonicated fabrics were found to have a high photocatalytic activity towards Rh6G, used as a model dye. SEM, XPS, UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, as well as ground state diffuse reflectance and laser induced luminescence were used to characterize fabrics/TiO2 samples in terms of topography, surface composition, influence of hydrothermal treatment on photocatalytic activity, stability of TiO2 NPs, electro-optical properties of the modified fabrics, as well as the effect of ultrasonication on the photodegradation of Rh6G. This work paves the way to a larger scale improvement of the photocatalytic performances of TiO2-loaded cotton fabrics by post-sonication.