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The desirable chemical, physical, electronic, and optical properties of TiO2, as well as its high availability, non-toxicity, and low price, make it very popular in the modern functional textile industry. Here, TiO2 from titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) precursors at concentrations of 2, 4, and 6% and commercial TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in dispersion form were applied to cotton textiles using low-temperature application methods (i.e., sol–gel pad–dry–cure, pad–hydrothermal, and exhaustion–hydrothermal methods) to provide a systematic study of the influence of low-temperature application processes and TIIP concentration and on the overall properties of TiO2-functionalized textile materials. The treated cotton fabric samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) to determine their surface morphology, chemical composition, and crystal structure, while the optical properties of the synthesized TiO2 were determined using the absorption method and Tauc plotting. Afterwards, corresponding UV protection properties and photocatalytic self-cleaning activity were evaluated. In contrast to commercial TiO2, a relatively thin TiO2 deposition with an amorphous structure and a blue-shifted band gap between 3.18 and 3.28 eV was formed when applied at low temperatures. A sol with a TIIP concentrations of 2 and 4% applied using the exhaustion–hydrothermal and sol–gel dry-cure method, respectively, proved to be optimal. Both applied sol concentrations provided good UV protection and excellent photocatalytic performance, which exceeded that of commercial TiO2, even though the Ti contents in the samples were two- to three-times lower and the synthesized TiO2 exhibited an amorphous structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the novel and entirely green in situ synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) on cotton fabric. Pomegranate peel extract was used as a reducing agent and wood ash extract was used as an alkali source for the formation of ZnO-NP from zinc acetate. Four different synthesis methods, which varied in drying between immersion of fabric in the active solutions for synthesis and the use of padding and ultrasonication, were investigated to evaluate the most suitable one to achieve excellent ultraviolet (UV) protective properties of the functionalized textile. For comparison, the cotton fabrics were also functionalized with each active solution separately or in a combination of two (i.e., Zn-acetate and plant extract). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirm the successful formation of ZnO-NP on cotton. Among the synthesis methods, the method that included continuous drying of the samples between immersion in the active solutions for synthesis (Method 4) was found to be the most suitable to deliver uniformly impregnated cotton fibers with numerous small ZnO wurtzite structured crystals and excellent UV protection, with a UV protection factor of 154.0. This research presents an example of a green circular economy where a bio-waste material can be used to produce ZnO-NP directly on cotton at low temperatures and short treatment times without the addition of chemicals and enables the production of cellulosic fabrics with excellent UV protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of different application methods on UV protective properties of white and dyed cotton functionalized with ZnO nanoparticles (nano-ZnO) was investigated. The methods differ in application procedure, time of treatment and auxiliaries used in the treating bath. The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) was determined for untreated and functionalized samples. The presence of nano-ZnO on fibres was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The content of Zn was determined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used for particle size measurements in the prepared solutions. The results show that UV protection of cotton increases with a higher content and uniform distribution of nano-ZnO on the samples and that dyeing increases the loading capa-city of cotton towards nano-ZnO. One of the methods (Method IV) gave remarkable results giving cotton an excellent UV protection whether it was dyed or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • New multifunctional antibacterial and ultraviolet protective cotton cellulose was developed. • Sumac leaf extract is a novel green reducing and stabilising agent for the biosynthesis of Ag NPs. • Ag NPs and sumac leaf extract additively contribute to the antimicrobial and UV protection of cotton. • Reactive polysilixane matrix enhances cotton's ability to embed and physically trap Ag NPs. • Chemically modified cotton fabric shows high wash resistant multifunctionality. A novel facile and eco-friendly procedure for fabrication of multifunctional antibacterial and ultraviolet (UV) protective cotton surface was presented, including premodification of cellulose fibres with a polysiloxane matrix, followed by green in situ biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in the presence of sumac leaf extract as a reducing and stabilising agent. During the biosynthesis, face-centred cubic Ag NPs with an average size of 52–105 nm were generated on the cotton fibres. Increasing the concentration of the AgNO 3 precursor resulted in increased concentration of Ag NPs of 50–11,000 mg/kg. The chemically modified cotton surface exhibited excellent antimicrobial and UV protection properties. The additive antibacterial activity of Ag NPs and sumac leaf extract showed biocidal activity against S. aureus even at the lowest Ag NP concentration of 50 mg/kg, and in the case of E. coli , biocidal activity was achieved at a concentration of 340 mg/kg. The presence of both Ag NPs and sumac leaf extract provided UV protection factor greater than 40, irrespective of Ag NP concentration. The increase in Ag NP concentration significantly improved the durability of the coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]