Nowadays, manufacturing of ultraviolet (UV) protective textiles is quite interesting for the outdoor workers to protect their bodies from harmful radiation. Herein, for the first time, durable UV-protective cotton textiles were produced by modification with the mixed metal–Ce organic framework. Cotton was first interacted with 1,2,4-tricarboxybenzene-2,4-anhydride through benzylation reaction. The benzylated cotton (BTC–C = O@Cotton) was then reacted with two metal salts including Cerium salt to obtain Ce–M–BTC–C = O@Cotton. The estimated contents of Ce and the mixed metal within Ce–M–BTC–C = O@Cotton were 3.3% and 0.4%, respectively. The color of cotton was turned to bluish-green color, greenish-yellow color and reddish color after incorporation with Ce–Cu–BTC, Ce–Ni–BTC and Ce–Co–BTC, respectively. The all-modified fabrics exhibited UV-blocking character from good to excellent, depending on the inserted mixed metal. The measured UV-protection factor (UPF) was 34.7 (very good) for Ce–Cu–BTC–C = O@Cotton, 43.1 (excellent) for Ce–Ni–BTC–C = O@Cotton, 26.4 (good) for Ce–Zn–BTC–C = O@Cotton, and 33.3 (very good) for Ce–Co–BTC–C = O@Cotton. After 5 washing cycles, Ce–Ni–BTC–C = O@Cotton and Ce–Co–BTC–C = O@Cotton showed good UV protection. The mechanical properties of cotton textiles were not significantly affected after modification with Ce–M–BTC.
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