Functionalization of Polyester Fabrics with Ag and TiO2 Nanoparticles

Abstract

This study discusses the possibility of engineering the multifunctional textile nanocomposite material based on the polyester (PES) fabric modified with colloidal Ag and TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Namely, encouraging results on the effects of TiO2 and Ag NPs separately applied to textile materials in our previous studies were the basis for an assumption that combined treatment with Ag and TiO2 NPs may bring multifunctional textile nanocomposite materials with desirable UV protective and antimicrobial effects. The antimicrobial activity of differently modified PES fabrics was tested against Gram-negative bacterium E. coli, Gram-positive bacterium S. aureus and fungus C. albicans. The efficiency of UV blocking was evaluated by determining the UV protection factor (UPF) of PES fabrics. The effect of Ag NPs on the photoactivity of TiO2 NPs deposited onto the PES fabrics was tested by degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under UV illumination. The total content of Ag and Ti in the PES fabrics was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The morphology of PES fibers was followed by SEM.

The order of Ag and TiO2 NPs loading affects the antimicrobial efficiency of PES fabrics. The fabrics provide maximum UV protection independently of the order of Ag and TiO2 NPs loading. Ag NPs positively influenced the photodegradation activity of TiO2 NPs and total photodegradation of methylene blue under UV illumination was achieved after 24 h.