We have investigated the effect of zinc oxide as a photocatalyst and durable flame-retardant on cellulosic fibers. Zinc oxide nanocrystals were successfully synthesized and deposited onto cellulosic fibers using sol-gel process at low temperature. The samples were characterized by means of several techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The photocatalytic activity was tested by measuring the photodegradation of methylene blue under UV-Vis illumination. Moreover, flame-retardancy was tested by vertical flame spread test. The optimum add-on value for donating flame-retardancy onto cellulosic fabric was obtained to be in the range of 15.24 to 23.20 g of the ZnO per 100 g of fabric. Thermogravimetric analysis of pure and flame-retarded samples were accomplished and discussed. The results obtained are in agreement with Wall effect theory and Coating theory. The originality of this work on introducing photoactive flame-retarded fibers is highly valuable for industrial implementation.

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