Nucleation and growth of anatase crystallites on cotton fabrics at low temperatures

Anatase nanocrystalline titania coatings were produced on cotton fabrics from alkoxide solutions using a low-temperature sol-gel process under ambient pressure. Titania coatings of the anatase form were obtained via a classical hydrolysis and condensation reaction of titanium isopropoxide that was followed by a boiling water treatment for 180 min. Spectroscopic and microscopic characterizations of the titania thin films showed that the anatase form is predominant throughout the film after the boiling water treatment and that the size of the grains is about 20 nm. The titania coating on fabrics is a promising process for use as an antibacterial photocatalyst in the textile industry.