Robust ultraviolet blocking cotton fabric modified with chitosan/graphene nanocomposites

• Chitosan/graphene nanocomposite is prepared as a novel UV blocker.
• Nanocomposite is deposited onto the fabric via the facile pad-dry-cure method.
• The fabric with 1 wt% graphene endow up to 60-fold of UPF higher than cotton fabric.
• The modified fabrics perform reasonable laundering durability.

To ameliorate the ultraviolet blocking performance of cotton fabric, novel chitosan/graphene (0.1–1 wt%) nanocomposites were prepared as functional UV blocker, and then deposited on the surface of fabric substrate via a pad-dry-cure approach. The as-obtained fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of the fabric incorporating graphene 1 wt% could reach to 465.8, up to 60-fold higher than that of pristine cotton fabric (UPF 7.31), meaning that low graphene content (<1 wt%) could dramatically enhance the UV-blocking property of substrate with the aid of chitosan as dispersant. Furthermore, the treated cotton fabric also performed excellent washing durability after 10 times water laundering. Chitosan/graphene nanocomposites could be recommended as the remarkable efficient and durable UV-blocking additive for UV-blocking industrial applications.