Fabrication, characterization, and utilization of ZnO nanoparticles for stain release, bacterial resistance, and UV protection on cotton fabric

Abstract

Textile technology is advancing by incorporating the benefits of nanotechnology into its diverse fields. Nanoparticle inclusion is one of the potential finishing processes in textile treatment to create multifunctional textiles. The goal of this research is to impart antibacterial, stain-release, and UV (ultra-violet) protection properties on cotton fabric by depositing ZnO nanoparticles on the fabric surface. Following the synthesis of the nanoparticles by the use of a sonochemical strategy, the nanoparticles are then fixed onto the fabric through the application of a mechanical thermo-fixation technique. The nanoparticles are applied to the fabric at three different concentrations: 0.5%, 1%, and 2%. The surface characterization shows that nanoparticles are of an average size of 40–100 nm and nearly spherical in shape. The colony count method is used to quantify the antibacterial activity of the nano-treated fabric. The results indicate that the treated fabric is effective against both gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria. The color stain of the direct blue dye of treated fabric has degraded under UV irradiation, indicating the stain release property. The results demonstrate considerable stain release that rises with the amount of ZnO nanoparticles. Excellent UV protection is also found since 2%-ZnO nano-coated fabric shows around 96% blockage of UV rays.