Natural rubber particle modified fabrics with catalytic activity and hydrophobicity

We report a novel and facile approach to fabricate functional fabrics using environment-friendly waterborne natural rubber latex (NRL) containing in-situ synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). AuNPs were prepared and decorated on the surface of the natural rubber particles (NRPs) by heating, forming a dual-scale hierarchical architecture. The hybrid particles of NRPs and AuNPs (AuNP@NRP) were coated on cotton and hydrophilic polyester fabric surfaces, endowing the fabrics with catalytic and hydrophobic features. The treated fabrics with low loadings of AuNP@NRP exhibited high catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by NaBH4 and could be reused, after easy separation from the catalytic reaction system, with excellent durability. In addition, the hydrophobicity of fabrics increased as coating cycles increased. The obtained hydrophobic fabrics were used for oil/water separation, showing high separation efficiency (>96%).