In situ synthesis of nano ZnO on starch sized cotton introducing nano photo active fabric optimized with response surface methodology

In this study the idea of in situ synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles on starch sized raw cotton fabric was followed to produce white cotton fabric with durable self-cleaning activity and tunable wettability. Alkaline condition of the preparation procedure played a prominent role in the synthesis and adsorption of ZnO nanoparticles on the cellulosic fabric. Moreover, starch size assisted the synthesis procedure and controlling the size of nanoparticles. The successful synthesis of nano ZnO particles on the treated fabrics was confirmed with XRD, FESEM and EDX. A central composite design based on response surface methodology was applied to study the influence of zinc nitrate and NaOH concentration, and their appropriate percentage for the best photoactivity and whiteness was obtained. The treated fabrics indicated good self-cleaning property toward degradation of Methylene Blue stain under sunlight irradiation while simultaneously benefited from higher whiteness due to the photo activity of nano white ZnO that is called “nano-photo bleaching”.