Photocatalysis and UV-blocking properties of cotton fabric functionalized with BiPO4 nanorods

Abstract

Uniform monoclinite bismuth phosphate (BiPO4) nanorods were fixed on commonly used cotton fabric using two-dip–two-nip technique. Chitosan and acetic acid were applied to act as cross-linking agent in preparing the finishing solution. In this article, BiPO4 nanorods modified cotton fabrics for UV-blocking, as well as photocatalytic degradation of RhB has been studied. This coated fabric was characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy. Furthermore, UV-blocking and photocatalytic properties were also tested. The coated fabric showed better properties compared to uncoated fabric.