Synthesis of TiO2 nanoflowers on pet fabric and their functional properties

Muhammad Zaman Khan

Abstract

Synthesis of TiO2 nanoflowers on pet fabric and their functional properties

The present study is aimed at in situ deposition of TiO2
nanoflowers on polyester fabric through low temperature
hydrothermal method by changing the process conditions.
The growth of nanoparticles was carried out using two
steps process. In the first, TiO2 nanoseeds were deposited
on caustic soda treated polyester fabric, and then
nanoparticles were grown on these seeds in the subsequent
step. The nano seeds were prepared using sol-gel
method. Ethanol (50 mL) and acetic acid (1.5 mL) were
taken in a round bottom flask. The tetrabutyl orthotitanate
(5 mL) was added drop wise into flask with continuous
stirring of solution at 60°C. The solution became
nearly transparent after 5 hours. The as-prepared seed
solution was applied to caustic soda treated polyester fabric
by padding and dried at 120 °C. This process was repeated
5 times and finally the fabric was cured at 150 °C.
In the second step, hydrothermal method was used for
the development of nanoparticles on the seeded fabric.
60 mL of distilled water was mixed with 60 ml of HCl
(37 wt%) in a conical flask and then different amounts
of titanium isopropoxide were added in it and stirred for
10 minutes. The resulting solution with seeded polyester
fabric was transferred into 150-mL Teflon-lined stainless-
steel autoclave and heated at 120 °C for 1 h. The
morphology of as-deposited particles has been studied by
using SEM. The chemical composition of nanoparticles
was determined using energy dispersive spectroscopy.
The functional properties were examined like chemical
self-cleaning, UV protection and solution discoloration.
The study of UV protection and photocatalytic activity of
the coated fabric showed that it had excellent UV protection
factor and self-cleaning properties..