Multifunctional Textiles Based on Three-Dimensional Hierarchically Structured TiO2 Nanowires

The development of three-dimensional (3D) micro-/nanostructures with multiscale hierarchy offers new potential for the improvement of the pristine textile properties. In this work, a polyester fabric coated with 3D hierarchically structured rutile TiO2 nanowires (THNWP) was fabricated by a facile hydrothermal strategy. The THNWP samples exhibit markedly improved photocatalytic activities and antibacterial properties owing to their 3D hierarchical architecture constructed by one-dimensional nanowire structures, good crystallinity, excellent light-harvesting capability, and fast electron-transfer rate. Furthermore, the unique 3D hierarchical nanostructures also combine with the monofilament to produce ternary-scale hierarchy, which endows the fabric surface with outstanding superamphiphobicity after further facile fluorination treatment. The supportive air-pockets trapped within the unique ternary-scale architectures are proved to be the crucial factor in the achievement of high liquid repellency, and the highest performing superamphiphobic surface is capable of repelling liquids down to a minimal surface tension of 23.4 mN m(-1). We envision that our findings may possess great potential in the bottom-up design of high-performance textiles.

Automated summary

In this study, polyester fabric coated with 3D hierarchically structured rutile TiO2 nanowires (THNWP) was fabricated using a hydrothermal method, leading to improved photocatalytic activities and antibacterial properties. The unique 3D hierarchical nanostructures, combined with monofilament, create outstanding superamphiphobicity on the fabric surface after fluorination treatment, with air-pockets being a crucial factor in achieving high liquid repellency down to a minimal surface tension of 23.4 mN m(-1).