Innovative self-cleaning and bactericide textiles

To prepare bactericide textiles, TiO2 has been added in the form of colloid, powder or a combination of both and the TiO2 modified textiles subsequently cured at temperatures adapted to their specific heat resistance. The bactericide textile is activated and Ag is deposited on the activated cotton or polyester to induce oxygen functionalities containing diverse polar groups. These polar groups increase the bondability of TiO2 and Ag with the textile surface. These functionalities generated in the presence of O-2 by RF-plasma (Radio-frequency plasma) and Vacuum-UV led to an increased adhesion of the TiO2 and Ag on the textiles. Recent findings comprising surface chemistry, photochemistry and microbiology of the bactericide textiles are presented in detail. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.