Fabrication of Ag and AZO/Ag/AZO ceramic films on cotton fabrics for solar control

Ag and AZO/Ag/AZO ceramic films were deposited on cotton fabrics by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and systematically investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Physical properties of the coated fabrics were evaluated by infrared reflection rate, air permeability and UPF value. Ag coated cotton fabrics presented an infrared reflection rate of 16% and the highest UPF values of 11.096. The AZO/Ag/AZO coated cotton fabrics exhibited an infrared reflection rate of 18% and the highest UPF values of 21.782. The prepared flexible cotton fabrics can provide UV radiation protection and infrared reflective properties, which make them promising materials for solar control applications.