Self-cleaning Cotton Fabrics Research Articles

Hierarchical nanoengineered emulsion with robust adhesion enables superior self-cleaning cotton fabrics

Self-cleaning treatment is of vital importance for the practical application of functional cotton fabrics. However, developing highly efficient, eco-friendly, and durable hydrophobic and oleophobic treatment agents still remains a great challenge. Herein, inspired by the design of the inorganic–organic nanonetwork, we successfully synthesized a novel core–shell structured emulsion of nano-SiO2/fluorine-silicon polyacrylate through semi-continuous emulsion polymerization. The introduction of long-chain alkyl methacrylate octadecyl ester within the shell phase results in a more organized arrangement of fluorine atoms on the surface of cotton fabrics, leading to a rapid reduction in the surface free energy of latex film. The sample is optimized with 20 wt% dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate and 1 wt% SiO2. The nanoengineered emulsion exhibits strong adhesion and effectively transforms the hydrophilic cotton fabrics into hydrophobic (143.2°) and oleophobic (121.6°) materials. Besides, the self-cleaning characteristic can withstand 25 laundering cycles and 800 abrasion cycles with enhanced robustness. This work opens up a pathway to develop effective, green but long-lasting amphiphobic agents for functional fabrics and sustainable textiles.

Superhydrophobic and Photocatalytic Self-Cleaning Cotton Fabrics Coated with SiO2–TiO2 Janus Particles and PDMS

Superhydrophobic and Photocatalytic Self-Cleaning Cotton Fabrics Coated with SiO2–TiO2 Janus Particles and PDMS

Structure and Properties of Natural Dye-Sensitized Nano-TiO2 Photocatalytic Self-Cleaning Cotton Fabrics

In this study the three natural dyes of madder, curcumin and gardenia blue were used as sensitizers to treat the nano-TiO2 which was prepared with the sol-gel method improved by plant honeysuckle extract, and then oxalic acid (OA) and citric acid (CA) were compounded as crosslinkers to modify the cotton fabric, The carboxyl groups on the modified cotton fabric can anchor the dye-sensitized nano-TiO2 to give it self-cleaning performance. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) showed that the dye-sensitized nano-TiO2 was successfully loaded on the surface of the cotton fabrics, and basically did not change their crystalline structure. UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis-DRS) and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL) spectra showed that, compared with nano-TiO2 photocatalytic cotton fabrics, the photocatalytic cotton fabric prepared from our dye-sensitized nano-TiO2 had a narrower band gap energy and a decrease in the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs. The cross-linked cotton fabric treated with dye-sensitized nano-TiO2 had excellent photocatalytic performance and washing resistance. In addition, the cross-linking treatment greatly improved the wrinkle recovery of the cotton fabrics, and the load of dye-sensitized nano-TiO2 endowed the fabric with excellent hydrophilic properties. but it also led to a certain degree of decrease in its breaking strength.

Inactivation and Degradation of Influenza A Virus on the Surface of Photoactive Self-Cleaning Cotton Fabric Functionalized with Nanocrystalline TiO2

Chemical modification of cotton-rich fabrics with TiO2 nanoparticles results in photoactive self-cleaning textiles, which can provide, under UV or solar radiation, complete oxidation of low-molecular compounds, degradation of supramolecular structures, and inactivation of microorganisms due to the photocatalytic effect. In this paper, we describe, based on the example of influenza A (H1N1) virus, a photoinduced antiviral effect of cotton fabric functionalized with nanocrystalline TiO2. Fast inactivation of influenza virus occurs on the irradiated surface of photoactive fabric due to adsorption and photocatalytic degradation. The TiO2 component in the prepared fabric increases the adsorption effect compared to initial cotton due to a high specific area of TiO2 nanocrystallites. Long-term irradiation leads to destruction of all virion structures to the point of RNA molecules. In contrast to pristine cotton, no virus RNA is detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique after long-term irradiation of photoactive fabric. The results of this study underline the potential of photoactive self-cleaning fabrics for application in air purification systems and personal protective clothes to provide permanent protection of people against harmful chemical and biological pollutants.

Multifunctional superhydrophobic self-cleaning cotton fabrics with oil-water separation and dye degradation via thiol-ene click reaction

• Fluorine-free superhydrophobic and self-cleaning cotton fabric was fabricated. • The modified cotton fabric was tolerant towards different harsh conditions. • The prepared fabric performed great oil–water separation and MB photodegradation. • The separation efficiency was above 99.8% with 6000 L·m −2 ·h −1 after 20 cycles. • The MB photodegradation was above 97% after 5 cycles. Wastewater treatment is a process of significant socio-environmental implications, constantly calling for effective methods towards higher sustainability. In this work, an environment-friendly fluorine-free modified cotton fabric (C-S-TiO 2 cotton fabric) was successfully prepared by the combination of in-situ growth of TiO 2 and hydrophobic modification with octadecyl methacrylate (ODMA) by thiol-ene click reaction. The prepared cotton fabric showed superhydrophobicity/superoleophilicity (water contact angle≈156.2°), self-cleaning property and an ultra-high separation efficiency (>99.90 %) for different kinds of oil–water mixtures with the flux up to 6800 L m −2 h −1 . It was found that the achieved oil separation efficiency was above 99.80 % after 20 cycles. Besides, the C-S-TiO 2 cotton fabric demonstrated an excellent photocatalytic degradation rate for methyl blue (MB) (98.0 %) and the degradation rate was still above 97.0 % after 5 cycles. Importantly, the C-S-TiO 2 cotton fabric was tolerant towards different harsh environments conditioned by acidic solution, alkaline solution, salt solution, and organic solvent. Herein, C-S-TiO 2 cotton fabric was regarded as a promising material for complex wastewater treatment.

Performance Enhancement of Self-Cleaning Cotton Fabric with ZnO NPs and Dicarboxylic Acids

In this paper, we explore the self-cleaning and washing durability of green-prepared ZnO NPs combined with cotton fabrics. Honeysuckle extract was used to prepare ZnO NPs with an average particle size of 15.3 nm. Cotton fabrics were then treated with oxalic acid (OA), tartaric acid (TA), and succinic acid (SA) as cross-linking agents, sodium hypophosphite as a catalyst, and after that, the ZnO NPs were applied to the cross-linked cotton fabrics by the padding to prepare the self-cleaning cotton fabrics. The morphology and structure of the fabric samples were characterized using FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and XRD. The optical properties of the cotton fabric samples were discussed by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum, and the self-cleaning performance, wrinkle recovery angle and ultraviolet protection performance of the cotton fabric samples were analyzed. The results showed that the carboxyl groups of TA, OA, and SA were esterified with hydroxyl groups of the cotton fiber and formed a film on the surface of the cotton fabrics. ZnO NPs were successfully loaded onto the cotton fabrics by strong electrostatic interaction, causing the improvement of the washing resistance of the cross-linked fabrics. In addition, compared with uncross-linked fabrics, the wrinkle recovery performance of the cross-linked fabrics had also been greatly improved, and the UV protection factor reached 50+, thus obtaining an excellent self-cleaning, multifunctional cotton-based textile with anti-wrinkle and anti-ultraviolet properties.

Robust self-cleaning effects of cotton fabrics coated with reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposites

The self-cleaning textiles coated with reduced graphene oxide-titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposites have enhanced photocatalytic activities and could have great potential in practical applications. However, it is still problematic regarding how to avoid aggregation of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets in producing reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposites. In this research article, we propose a new method to reduce the aggregation of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets in producing cotton fabrics coated with reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposites by combining vibration-assisted ball milling and hydrothermal synthesis process. The microstructure and photocatalytic-related properties of the resultant reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposites and their coating cotton fabrics were characterized by using a series of techniques including field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Raman, particle size distribution, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller,(BET), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscope (UPS), and photoluminescence (PL). It was indicated that the aggregation of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets in reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposites was successfully avoided via ball milling in the presence of tetrabutyl titanate. After hydrothermal treatment, the resulting reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposites were firmly immobilized on cotton fabric. It was demonstrated in the self-cleaning experiments that the resultant self-cleaning cotton fabrics are hydrophilic and could directly decompose color contaminants such as methylene blue, Congo red, and coffee stains under simulated sunlight irradiation due to the photo-degradation reactions of the reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposite coating. The reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposite-modified cotton fabric also exhibited excellent performance in both robust abrasion resistance and soap-washing resistance. The fabric photocatalytic self-cleaning capability was not found to decrease significantly after being repeatedly used for five times.

Self-cleaning cotton fabrics with good flame retardancy via one-pot approach

The demand for multifunctional cotton fabrics possessing fire retardancy and hydrophobic self-cleaning property is soaring in recent years. In this work, non-halogen functional coatings by water-soluble phenylphosphinyl and amine-containing silanol (WPAS) were prepared through sol-gel method, in which functional cotton fabrics embraced with flame retardant (FR) and hydrophobic properties, simultaneously. The prepared WPAS coated functional fabrics reached as high as 30.4% for LOI value, and extinguished immediately after removing the ignitor in vertical fire test. Low-energy •PO free radicals released by WPAS which was detected by TG-MS and TG-FTIR, captured high energy radicals such as •H or •OH radicals in the gas-phase. The char residue study from SEM, FTIR, Raman and XPS results found that P/Si/N thermostable ceramic char layer and aromatic carbonaceous structures formed which could provide a good barrier effect, effectively hindering diffusion of oxygen and transferring of heat into the flame zone. Additionally, water contact angle of functional cotton increased to 145° compared with cotton. As a result, it displayed hydrophobic self-cleaning property towards a series of common liquids in daily life. This convenient, eco-friendly one-pot approach is promising, and feasible for large-scale production of functional cotton fabrics with both excellent FR and hydrophobic self-cleaning properties to end-use industrial applications.

Preparation and Characterization of Self-cleaning Cotton Fabrics Loaded with Self-dispersive and Reactive BiVO4

Preparation and Characterization of Self-cleaning Cotton Fabrics Loaded with Self-dispersive and Reactive BiVO4

Superhydrophobic and photocatalytic self-cleaning cotton fabric using flower-like N-doped TiO2/PDMS coating

Self-cleaning fabrics can be developed based on introducing two mechanisms of superhydrophobicity and photocatalytic activity to conventional fabrics. However, there are some downsides such as inefficiency of superhydrophobic coatings against oily contaminants and low effectiveness of photocatalytic surface treatments under visible light which have restricted the widespread applications of these functional products. This research presents the development of self-cleaning cotton fabric with dual functionalities of superhydrophobicity and photocatalytic activity using microhierarchial TiO2-based particles. It is aimed to fabricate fluorine-free durable superhydrophobic coatings with simultaneous photocatalytic self-cleaning under simulated sunlight. Fluorine-free coating formulations composed of flower-like particles, either TiO2 or nitrogen-doped TiO2, and polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) polymer were applied to cotton fabrics using a facile dip-coating method. The self-cleaning performance of fabrics was assessed based on their superhydrophobicity and effective removal of oil-based stains under simulated sunlight. Additionally, the impact of nitrogen doping on enhancing the photocatalytic activity of flower-like TiO2 particles was investigated. The obtained results demonstrated that the presence of both PDMS and hierarchical particles generated excellent superhydrophobicity on the cotton fabric with a water contact angle of 156.7° ± 1.9°. In addition, the coated fabric exhibited highly efficient photocatalytic activity, decomposing absorbed stains after 30 min of irradiation. Nitrogen doping process significantly boosted the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 particles in degrading food stains and Rhodamine B dye solution. The developed fabrics showed high robustness against chemical and physical durability tests.

Preparation of fluorine-free superhydrophobic and wear-resistant cotton fabric with a UV curing reaction for self-cleaning and oil/water separation.

A durable superhydrophobic, self-cleaning cotton fabric prepared with UV curing was prepared by a simple method and used for oil/water separation. Firstly, sulfhydryl silica nanoparticles on the fabric surface were prepared by the Stöber reaction (SiO2–SH@cotton). Then, the side chain hydroxyl terminated PDMS was reacted with isocyanate to form an isocyanate terminated prepolymer. The prepolymer terminated by HEMA (vinyl-terminated PDMS (PIH)) was sprayed on the fabric surface, and then the superhydrophobic coating (SiO2–S–PIH@cotton) was formed using UV curing. A series of characterization methods were used to demonstrate the properties of the modified cotton fabric. When the weight gain after PIH spraying was 1.8 wt%, the fabric reaches an optimal state (water contact angle (WCA) of 153° and a sliding angle of 7°). When used in an oil–water separation test, the highest separation efficiency reached 99.1%. In particular, the as-prepared fabric has excellent wear resistance. Compared with that before spraying, the superhydrophobicity of the as-prepared fabric has no obvious decrease after 300 cycles under 200 g of weight or after 100 cycles under 500 g of circular friction. This indicated that surface sprayed polymers have two functions: providing low surface tension and protecting the rough surface formed by silica particles. This process was time-saving, energy-saving, protected the environment, had a low material cost and a strong performance stability. It is hoped that this fabric can be used in the large-scale industrialization of oil–water separation.

Photo-initiated polymer brush grafting and multi-stage assembly of hydrophobic oil-absorbing self-cleaning cotton fabrics for acidic and alkaline environments

Cotton fabrics brushed with a low surface energy polymer were prepared via a simple method, namely photo-initiated long-chain alkyl ester grafting. Silica was grafted to the fabric surface to increase the surface roughness, and the surface was further modified with cetyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS), n-octyltrimethoxysiloxane (OTES), stearic acid (SA), or perfluoromethylenetrimethoxysilane (PF) to produce four superhydrophobic modified cotton fabrics (P-Brush@SiO2@HDTMS, P-Brush@SiO2@OTES, P-Brush@SiO2@SA, and P-Brush@SiO2@PF). All the four modified cottons all showed excellent hydrophobicity and the water droplet contact angles were 160°, 159°, 161°, and 171°, respectively. Furthermore, the modified materials were acid and alkali resistant, as well as recyclable. The fabrics were used to separate oil-water mixtures in extreme environments, where a separation efficiency of up to 98% (repeated oil absorption of more than 70 times) was achieved for pentane, hexane, heptane and octane. The absorption rate of the P-Brush@SiO2@HDTMS, P-Brush@SiO2@OTES, and P-Brush@SiO2@SA cottons for dodecane is 99.9%, but the absorption rate of P-Brush@SiO2@PF cotton for dodecane, tridecane and cetane is 0%, and the contact angle of oil droplets is 136° for tridecane. The four modified cotton fabrics show promise for wastewater treatment, specifically the separation of oil-water mixtures in extremely acidic or alkaline environments.

Facile preparation of multi-scale nanoarchitectures on cotton fabric with low surface energy for high performance self-cleaning

Self-cleaning cotton fabric with excellent amphiphobicity was fabricated by building micro-nanostructures with low surface energy on cotton fabric surface. TiO2 and SiO2 blend nanoparticles modified by hydrolytic (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetradecyl)trimethoxysilane (17-FAS) were co-deposited onto cotton fabric by two different coating methods: 1) suction filtration for immobilizing the modified TiO2/SiO2 onto cotton fabric based on cellulose swollen action by N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) solution; 2) adhesion by spraying waterborne polyurethane (WPU) before coating. The performance of self-cleaning fabric was investigated by draping properties, air permeability, water-vapor transmission, tensile properties, abrasion resistance and washing fastness. The resultant self-cleaning fabric exhibited superhydrophobicity and excellent oleophobicity based on contact angles of 151.9° for water, 141.7° for liquid paraffin, 137.8° for epoxidized soybean oil and 133.1° for diesel oil, respectively. WPU method possessed better washing fastness and could keep high amphiphobic effect. WPU method is considered as a reliable and facile solution to amphiphobic fabric, showing great promise for industrial-scale respect in self-cleaning textiles.

Preparation and characterization of SnO2−x/GO composite photocatalyst and its visible light photocatalytic activity for self-cleaning cotton fabrics

Sn2+ self-doped SnO2 (SnO2−x) nanocrystal and SnO2−x/graphene oxide (SnO2−x/GO) composite photocatalyst were prepared by hydrothermal method and characterized by transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, photocurrent and photocatalytic activity. SnO2−x/GO was hydroxylated with 3,4-dihydroxy phenyl acetic acid to obtain the carboxylated SnO2−x/GO. Cotton fabrics were cationically modified by 3-chloro-2 hydroxy propyltrim ethylammonium chloride and then finished with the carboxylated SnO2−x/GO composite photocatalyst. Cotton fabrics were characterized by SEM, XPS and self-cleaning activity. Photocatalytic activity of SnO2−x/GO composite photocatalyst and self-cleaning activity of cotton fabrics were evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange solution and methylene blue solution under the visible light, respectively. Photocatalytic activity of SnO2−x/GO composite photocatalyst firstly increased and then decreased with the increasing molar ratio of Sn4+/Sn, and the GO concentration in SnO2−x/GO. The optimal molar ratio of Sn4+/Sn and GO concentration were 1:4 and 5%, respectively. The SnO2−x/GO finished cotton fabrics exhibited highly efficient and durable self-cleaning activity. In addition, the mechanism for SnO2−x/GO photocatalytic activity, and the mechanism and possible reactions for the chemically binding of SnO2−x/GO composite photocatalyst with cotton fabrics were proposed.

Photocatalytic Self-Cleaning Cotton Fabrics Coated by Cu₂(OH)PO₄ under VIS/NIR Irradiation.

In the present work, a mild strategy was employed to obtain cotton fabrics (CFs) coated with Cu2(OH)PO4 (CHP) nanoparticles to achieve self-cleaning property. The phytic acid (IP6) assisted method was employed to synthesize nanoparticles (CHP-IP6). The as-prepared coated cotton fabrics were characterized using the following techniques: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The CHP-IP6 coated cotton fabrics showed significant photocatalytic activity, excellent photocatalytic stability, and good discoloration of methylene blue (MB) stains when exposed to sunlight, which could have important applications as tablecloths, household apparels, and industrial workwear.

Fabrication of Visible Light-Induced Antibacterial and Self-Cleaning Cotton Fabrics Using Manganese Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles.

Ordinary textiles are very often malodorous and the origin of cross-infection. Their microclimate, consisting of moisture, contaminants, and sweat, provides favorable conditions for microbial growth. Therefore, simple approaches of surface modification using functional materials are widely adopted to introduce antibacterial properties. This study reports a simple and low cost technique that renders cotton fabrics antibacterial. Manganese (Mn)-doped photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles of ∼150 nm average diameter have been prepared by sol gel and applied on textile fabrics using a silicone binder. The treated fabrics displayed 100% reduction of Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (Gram-negative) populations within 120 min under sunlight, demonstrating first order of reduction kinetics. Moreover, the functionalized fabrics demonstrated complete degradation of a methylene blue (MB) dye adsorbed on their surface, under both UV and visible light irradiation, turning them white. A similar effect was observed when the treated fabrics were immersed in a MB dye solution and subsequently irradiated. Here, the cotton fabrics functionalized with Mn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were able to discolour the dissolved MB dye, demonstrating a water purification effect. In addition, the modified fabrics were resistant to several laundry cycles. Physical properties like mechanical strength, color, breathability, and aesthetic of the treated cotton fabrics remained unchanged. The modified cotton fabrics can be envisioned as antibacterial, antiodorous, and self-cleaning textiles for sports, medical uses, uniforms, fashion, home furnishing, and leisure activities. Finally, the treated textiles were found to be biocompatible.

Visible-Light-Driven, Dye-Sensitized TiO2 Photo-Catalyst for Self-Cleaning Cotton Fabrics

We report here the photo-catalytic properties of dye-sensitized TiO2-coated cotton fabrics. In this study, visible-light-driven, self-cleaning cotton fabrics were developed by coating the cotton fabrics with dye-sensitized TiO2. TiO2 nano-sol was prepared via the sol-gel method and the cotton fabric was coated with this nano-sol by the dip-pad–dry-cure method. In order to enhance the photo-catalytic properties of this TiO2-coated cotton fabric under visible light irradiation, the TiO2-coated cotton fabric was dyed with a phthalocyanine-based reactive dye, C.I. Reactive Blue 25 (RB-25), as a dye sensitizer for TiO2. The photo-catalytic self-cleaning efficiency of the resulting dye/TiO2-coated cotton fabrics was evaluated by degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and color co-ordinate measurements. Dye/TiO2-coated cotton fabrics show very good photo-catalytic properties under visible light.

Design and characterization of self-cleaning cotton fabrics exploiting zinc oxide nanoparticle-triggered photocatalytic degradation

Self-cleaning surfaces are functional structures with application in smart textiles. In this study, self-cleaning cotton fabrics were fabricated by coating photocatalytic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on cotton surfaces, using a traditional dip-pad-dry-cure coating process. The coatings and ZnO content-dependent self-cleaning properties of the coated fabrics were investigated to evaluate their potential in practical application. The ZnO NP-coated cotton fabrics were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Methylene blue was used as a test contaminant to qualitatively assess the self-cleaning properties of the fabrics. The removal efficiency was determined for fabrics with different ZnO contents, under different solar irradiation times. Consecutive photocatalytic degradations were carried out to investigate the self-cleaning durability of the fabrics. This involved repeatedly contaminating the same fabric position and subsequent cleaning by photocatalytic degradation. The self-cleaning properties of the fabrics depended on their ZnO NP content. A higher wt% of ZnO NPs in the coated fabric resulted in more pronounced photocatalytic degradation than fabrics with a lower wt%. The self-cleaning performance of the higher wt% ZnO NP fabric decreased slightly after the third consecutive photocatalytic degradation. Results of wash fastness showed color removal after 10 times washing under light irradiation. Moreover, the ZnO NP-coated fabrics exhibited excellent ultraviolet blocking properties. These findings provide a potential model for the practical application of self-cleaning textiles.

Development of multifunctional self-cleaning and UV blocking cotton fabric with modification of photoactive ZnO coating via microwave method

Abstract A new self-cleaning cotton fabric coated with zinc oxide (ZnO) was obtained via a facile and effective microwave method. The solution pH was a key factor in determining the morphology of ZnO crystal growth on the cotton fibers: rod structures were apt to be formed at pH 4–5, whereas flake and flower-like structures were preferentially formed at higher solution pHs of 6–7 and 10–11, respectively. It is proved that the photocatalytic and wettability performances of ZnO could be efficiently transferred to cotton fabric, leading to a preeminent UV-blocking and self-cleaning cotton fabric. The identified UV protection factors (UPFs) indicate the excellent UV-blocking properties of the ZnO-coated textile fabric synthesized at pH 6–7, 8–9 and 10–11 with UPFs of 222.52, 162.68 and 202.57, respectively. The ZnO coating layer on the cotton fabric significantly improved the wetting behavior of the fabric, such as water absorption speed, thereby affording a self-cleaning ability for the ZnO-coated cotton fabrics. This ability was checked according to the removal degree of coffee stain under UV irradiation at different humidities (30–90% RH). The coffee stains on the ZnO-coated cotton fabrics were almost removed after 15 h without needing any water or detergent and the highest removal effect was observed at 90% humidity.

Development of Photocatalytic Self-Cleaning Cotton Fabric

Cellulose and TiO2 nanoparticles were coated on the surface of cotton fabric for photocatalytic self-cleaning. Cellulose-TiO2 dispersion was prepared by mixing TiO2 in cellulose solution (Cellulose in 60%H2SO4 solution). Surface morphology of Cellulose-TiO2 nanoparticles coated sample was analyzed in specimen by SEM. White particles appeared on the surface of the cotton fabrics confirmed that TiO2 was coated successfully. Orange II dye was used as stain and its degradation was observed under UV light. Washing study showed that self-cleaning properties are stable with 1, 3 and 5% TiO2 coated samples. Air and water vapor permeability was not decreased significantly after coating. Tensile strength also was increased significantly after coating.