Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by self-assembling reverse micelle cores of PS-b-PAA for functional textile applications

• TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized within poly(styrene)-b-poly(acrylic acid) micelles.
• The copolymer solution including nano TiO2 was coated onto textile fabrics.
• UV-protective factor of nano TiO2 coated fabrics was estimated as 50+.
• Nano TiO2 coated fabrics was found to exhibit a high photocatalytic activity.

Titanium dioxide (i.e., titanium(IV) oxide, TiO2) nanoparticles have been fabricated using a copolymer templating technique in micellar solution of poly(styrene)-block-poly(acrylic acid), PS(10912)-b-PAA(4842) synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The size and morphology of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles have been characterized via TEM and XRD measurements. The average size of TiO2 nanoparticles was determined as 13 ± 3 and 13 ± 4 nm for titanium:copolymer ratios of 20:1 and 33:1, respectively. The copolymer solution including nano TiO2 particles has been coated onto textile fabrics to enhance their UV-blocking and self-cleaning properties. It has been determined that nano TiO2 coated textile fabrics have very good UV-blocking properties with 50+ of the ultraviolet protecting factor (UPF) and high photocatalytic efficiency with 69.2% of the photodegradation of methylene blue.

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