Multifunctional nanocoating finishing of polyester/cotton woven fabric by the sol-gel method

Abstract

This paper presents the test results of multifunctional thin-coating textile finishing with the use of hybrid Al2O3/SiO2 sol modified with metallic nanoparticles of Ag/Cu powder and TiO2 P25. The modified hybrid Al2O3/SiO2 sol was deposited on polyester/cotton (67/33) woven fabrics by the padding method, followed by drying and thermal heating to obtain a thin and elastic xerogel coating on the fabric fiber surface. The woven fabrics finished in this way were characterized by very good bioactive properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria and Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger fungi (83–92% reduction in bacteria and 87–93% reduction in fungi) and showed photocatalytic self-cleaning capabilities and a high protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The color difference ( ΔE) obtained after UV irradiation for 112 h was 11.6, and the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) value considerably exceeded the limiting standard value of 50, while in the case of a reference woven fabric, ΔE = 4 and UPF was about 40. At the same time, the woven fabrics finished were characterized by a high resistance to abrasion.