Functionalization of polyester fabrics with alginates and TiO2 nanoparticles

This study was aimed to investigate the possibility of engineering the multifunctional textile nanocomposite material based on the polyester fabric modified with natural polysaccharide alginate and colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles. The multifunctionality of such nanocomposite material was evaluated by analyzing its UV protection efficiency, antibacterial and photocatalytic activity. The level of UV protection was verified by the UV protection factor (UPF) of polyester fabrics. Antibacterial activity of modified polyester fabrics was tested against Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles deposited on the polyester fabrics was followed by degradation of methylene blue as a model compound in aqueous solution. Modified polyester fabrics exhibited outstanding antibacterial activity and UV protection efficiency even after five washing cycles, indicating the excellent laundering durability. The total photodegradation of methylene blue was reached after 24 h of UV illumination and this ability was preserved and even enhanced after two consecutive cycles. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.