Development of Cotton Fabrics with Durable UV Protective and Self-cleaning Property by Deposition of Low TiO2 Levels through Sol-gel Process

Abstract

In this article, the deposition of TiO₂ on cotton fabric using sol-gel techniques has been described. Various process routes (pad-dry-cure, pad-dry-hydrothermal and pad-dry-solvothermal) were examined to impart a stable coating of TiO₂ on fabric. The role of pre-cursor concentration, process temperature and time of treatment were studied to aim at a wash durable, UV protective and self-cleaning property in the treated fabric. EDX and ICP-MS techniques were used to examine the add-on % of TiO₂ on cotton fabrics treated via different routes. It has been found that the TiO₂ remains largely amorphous and non-durable if it is given a short thermal treatment. To convert the deposited TiO₂ to its anatase crystal form, a prolonged hydrothermal treatment for at least three hours needs to be given. TiO₂ deposition levels of less than 0.1% were found to be effective in imparting reasonable degree of UV protection and self-cleaning property to the cotton fabric. The self-cleaning ability of the treated fabric against coffee stain was also studied and was found to be related to the process route and the deposition levels of TiO₂.

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