Preparation of TiO₂–SiO₂ Hybrid Nanosols Coated Flame-Retardant Polyester Fabric Possessing Dual Contradictory Characteristics of Superhydrophobicity and Self Cleaning Ability

Abstract

<jats:p>TiO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>, SiO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> and their hybrid nanocoatings are prepared on inherent flame retardant textile substrates from titanium(IV)iso-proproxide (TTIP) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) precursors using a sol–gel process followed by hydrothermal treatment. The coated samples are further functionalized by hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) to impart superhydrophobicity. Sample characterization of the nanosols, nanoparticles and coated samples are investigated using, X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, contact angle measurement. Stain degradation test under mild UV irradiation shows almost 54% degradation of coffee stain within 4 hours measured by Spectrophotometer. UV-Vis Absorption Spectroscopy demonstrates complete degradation of methyl orange colorant within 3 hours. Hybrid nanosol coated and HDTMS modified inherent flame retardant polyester surfaces show apparent water contact angle as ~145°, which is much closer to proximity of superhydrophobic surfaces. Thus, the novelty of present work is, by using sol–gel technique, a bi-functional textile surface has been developed which qualifies the very specific requirements of protective clothing like self-cleaning property (imparted by TiO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> nanoparticles) and superhydrophobicity (imparted by SiO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> nanoparticles and further surface modification by HDTMS), which are entirely contradictory in nature, in a single fabric itself. Thus developed textile surfaces also possess the other attributes of protective clothing like flame retardancy and air permeability.</jats:p>

Facile Fabrication of Superhydrophobic and Flame-Retardant Coatings on Cotton Fabrics

“…APP had a strong diffraction peak at about 16°, which overlapped with the characteristic peaks of cellulose. The low-intensity reflections observed in CH/APP@TiO 2 -SiO 2 -HMDS cotton at 27.6°, 36.4°, 41.4°, 54.4°, and 56.7° correspond to a TiO 2 rutile structure [ 46 , 47 ]. Therefore, the crystal structure of cotton was nearly unaffected and the reaction primarily occurred in the amorphous region of cotton.…”

Influence of Incorporated Polydimethylsiloxane on Properties of PA66 Fiber and Its Fabric Performance

“…All fabric understands bending deformation during textile processing and practical application [11,12]. The resistance of fabric to this bending is defined as bending rigidity (B), i.e., the ratio of small variety of bending moment per unit width over the change in curvature in response.…”

Modifications of Textile Materials with Functional Silanes, Liquid Silicone Softeners, and Silicone Rubbers—A Review

“…Hybrid organic–inorganic sol–gel precursors containing longer aliphatic substituents: hexadecyl(trimethoxy)silane, octadecyl(trimethoxy)silane, and dimethyloctadecyl-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ammonium chloride, and also octamethyltrisiloxane, poly(dimethylsiloxane) and polyvinylsilsesquioxane, stearic acid, poly(hexafluorobutyl-metacrylate), and other fluorocarbons, were very often applied for the preparation of the hydrophobic thin coatings on the textile fibers [ 117 , 118 , 176 , 177 , 178 , 179 , 180 , 181 , 182 , 183 , 184 , 185 , 186 ].…”