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CuO/BiVO 4 (BVO) nanocomposite photocatalyst was immobilized on cotton fabrics through polydopamine (PDA) templating for multiple application including highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysis, antimicrobial activity and UV protection. The morphology and structure of CuO/BVO nanocomposites and the coated fabrics were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The functionalized cotton fabrics were found to be highly effective in degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation with stability and recyclability, and about 97.7% of MB aqueous solution was degraded after 200 min exposure with 92.1% of the photocatalytic activity preserved even after five recycles. The mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity was proposed. The coated fabrics also demonstrated to be UV protective and antimicrobial. This work will benefit the development of durable and recyclable textile based photocatalysts with multiple function. Unlabelled Image • CuO/BiVO 4 nanocomposite photocatalyst was immobilized on cotton fabrics. • Polydopamine (PDA) template was introduced to enhance anchor the nanocomposite. • Efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysis was achieved with mechanism revealed. • The nanocomposites also showed antimicrobial activity and UV protection. • This textile-based nanocomposite has great application potential in multiple area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Hydrothermal growing of ZnO nanoparticles without crystal seeding on PDA-templated PET film was achieved. • Cluster-like ZnO nanoparticles were successfully grown with the mechanism revealed. • UPF value of 500+ was brought the PET film after coating of ZnO nanoparticles. • The ZnO-coated PET film showed excellent antimicrobial activity. Abstract Growing of ZnO nanoparticles on PET films without crystal seeding has been achieved by employing polydopamine as the anchor. The PDA layer was formed on the surface of PET film by the polymerization of dopamine. The PDA-PET was dipped into zinc precursors for hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanoparticles. Cluster-like ZnO nanoparticles were obtained and the special structure was affected by the growing time and zinc ion concentration. The surface morphology, structure and properties were characterized, and the functions including antimicrobial activity and UV protection of the ZnO-coated PET film were investigated. The developed facile hydrothermal approach without seeding will benefit the development of UV resistant and antimicrobial PET films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]