Photocatalytic finishing of silk and viscose fabrics

Photocatalysts are one of the recent functional additives used extensively in recent years due to their unique properties. This research attempts to finished silk and viscose fabrics with titania NPs for multifunctional finishing such as self-clean, anti-ultraviolet, and antibacterial. Citric acid was used as a cross-linking agent to increase the adsorption of NPs, using pad-cure. TheK/Sand Delta Ewere recorded to measure the efficiency of the self-cleaning of finished fabrics. The results showed that an appropriate discoloration was attained for the finished fabrics after UV irradiation. The finished fabrics acquired antibacterial activity againstEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureusas well as excellent ultraviolet radiation protection. FTIR was used to characterize the titania NPs finished surfaces and the interaction between citric acid and NPs on the fabric surfaces was confirmed. The durability of the finishing to washing cycles as well as the decomposition of different types of stains was studied.

Automated summary

This research utilized citric acid as a cross-linking agent to finish silk and viscose fabrics with titania NPs, achieving multifunctional finishing. The finished fabrics showed good self-cleaning, antibacterial, and UV protection properties, with appropriate discoloration after UV irradiation. The interaction between surface nanoparticles and citric acid during finishing was confirmed, and the durability to washing cycles and decomposition of different stains were studied.