ZnO-TiO2 hybrid nanocrystal-loaded, wash durable, multifunction cotton textiles

Life-threatening diseases, especially those caused by pathogens and harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV-R), have triggered increasing demands for comfortable, antimicrobial, and UV-R protective clothing with a long service life. However, developing such textiles with exceptional wash durability is still challenging. Herein, we demonstrate how to fabricate wash durable multifunctional cotton textiles by growing in situ ZnO-TiO2 hybrid nanocrystals (NCs) on the surface of cellulosic fabrics. The ZnO-TiO2 hybrid NCs presented high functional efficiency, owing to their high charge transfer/separation. Ultrafine fiber surface pores, utilized as nucleating sites, endowed the uniform growth of NCs and their physical locking. The resulting fabrics presented excellent UV protection factors up to 54, displayed bactericidal efficiency of 100% against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and optimum self-cleaning efficacy. Moreover, the functionalized textiles exhibited robust washing durability, maintaining antibacterial and anti-UV-R efficiency even after 30 extensive washing cycles. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

This article demonstrates the fabrication of wash durable multifunctional cotton textiles by growing in situ ZnO-TiO2 hybrid nanocrystals on the surface of cellulosic fabrics. The resulting fabrics exhibit excellent UV protection, bactericidal efficiency, and self-cleaning efficacy, while maintaining their functional properties even after extensive washing cycles.