Ultrasonic biosynthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles for improved self-cleaning and wettability coating of DBD plasma pre-treated cotton fabric

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) were prepared ultrasonically and simultaneously coated over cotton fabric activated with atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier (DBD) discharge. Titanium isopropoxide and extract of Aloe vera plant were used as a precursor and reducing agent, respectively, for the biosynthesis of TiO2-NPs. Cotton fabric was pre-treated with DBD plasma for different plasma exposure times. The effect of DBD plasma treatment on wettability and stability of TiO2-NPs on cotton fabric were studied. The obtained samples were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction to check the surface functionality, crystallite size and surface morphology. TiO2-NPs showed both spherical and triangular surface morphologies with dominating anatase phase and average crystallite size of 11.27 nm. The optimum condition for wettability was defined by using a water drop test method. Self-cleaning property of raw cotton, plasma-treated and plasma-TiO2-coated cotton fabric was evaluated by degrading methylene blue solution under daylight irradiation. The plasma-TiO2-coated fabric showed high self-cleaning efficiency due to firm bonding of nanoparticles on plasma-functionalized surface. The tensile strength of the fabric decreased slightly on plasma functionalization due to etching and pitting effects but increased after TiO2 coating of fabric.

Automated summary

The study investigated the preparation of TiO2-NPs coated over cotton fabric using plasma treatment, which resulted in improved wettability and stability of the nanoparticles on the fabric, showing high self-cleaning efficiency. The tensile strength of the fabric slightly decreased after plasma treatment, but increased after TiO2 coating.