Combined ultrasonic and gamma-irradiation to prepare TiO2@PET-g-PAAc fabric composite for self-cleaning application

The grafting of polyacrylic acid (PAAc) onto the fabric of Poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) was loaded with TiO2 by a mixture sonication of TiO2 dispersed in AAc dissolved in acetone solvent. Ultrasonic irradiation was utilized as a tool for a good dispersion of TiO2 onto the PET fabric. The grafted PET fabrics with acrylic acid AAc monomer were successfully obtained using gamma-ray induced graft polymerization, the degree of grafting PET-g-PAAc fiber was 105%. The chemical compositions and crystal structure of grafted TiO2@PET-g-PAAc fabrics were characterized by ATR-FTIR and XRD. It was found that loading of PET fiber with in TiO2 particles showing the formation of anatase and rutile as performed by XRD. The thermal property of TiO2@PET-g-PAAc was investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The obtained result indicated the thermal property of the grafted TiO2@PET-g-PAAc was increased. Image of scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated the good adherent and good distribution of PAAc and TiO2 with PET fabric. The self-cleaning property of TiO2@PET-g-PAAc has been evaluated by using three kinds of dyes as models.