Cotton fabric coated with nano TiO2-acrylate copolymer for photocatalytic self-cleaning by in-situ suspension polymerization

Two kinds of nano TiO2-polyacrylate hybrid dispersions, TBM-w and TBM-e were synthesized by in-situ suspension polymerization and solution polymerization respectively, in order to fix the nano TiO2 on fabrics. The photocatalytic self-cleaning fabrics have received much attention in recent years for its water-saving and environment-protection advantages. However, the fixation of the photocatalyst on fabrics is still a key problem that inhibits industrialization of these eco-friendly fabrics. The cotton fabric was treated by the two hybrid dispersions. The photocatalytic self-cleaning property was characterized. Infrared spectroscopy, burning loss test and thermogravimetry showed that some copolymer chains entangled with the nano TiO2. Transmission electron microscope illustrated that there was a polymeric layer on the surface of nano TiO2. The average diameter of TBM-w was smaller than that of TBM-e based on size analysis. The photocatalytic decoloration of the grape syrup indicated that the fabric with TiO2-polymer hybrid had excellent self-cleaning property.

The cotton fabrics that was coated by a certain quantity of TBM-w3 prepared by novel in-situ suspension polymerization has the best self-cleaning property (the green curve).Highlights► In-situ suspension polymerization of acrylates and modifying of nano-TiO2 have been carried on. ► The modified nanoparticles were coated on cotton fabrics. ► The coated fabrics' self-cleaning property was tested. ► A novel preparation of self-cleaning materials has been proposed.