The formation and UV-blocking property of needle-shaped ZnO nanorod on cotton fabric

ZnO nanoparticles were in-situ grown on SiO2 coated cotton fabric through hydrothermal method. A following hot water treatment at 100 °C or higher could transform the morphology of the ZnO nanoparticles on the surface of cotton fabric from sphere and rod to much smaller diameter needle shape through a recrystallization process. After water treatment at 100 °C or higher, the cotton fabric was covered with approximately 24 nm diameter needle-shaped ZnO nanorod and had an excellent UV-blocking property with UV protection factor value over 50. The effects of temperature and time of hot water treatment on the size and crystalline perfection of ZnO nanorod and the UV-blocking property were also studied.