Evolution of Multifunctional Cotton Fabric as the Flame Retardant/Crease Proof/Microbial Resistant Blended With Green Synthesised TiO2 Nanoparticles Coatings

Abstract

In this work, green synthesised TiO2 nanoparticles' coating was used to improve the fire safety and antibacterial property of 100% cotton fabric. In the first stage, Aloe vera extract was prepared, and subsequently used in the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles. The average size of these as-synthesised TiO2 nanoparticles was confirmed to be 16 nm using DLS (dynamic light scattering). Further, XRD (X-ray diffraction) patterns confirmed the successful synthesis of nanoparticles. The vibrational photon of TiO2 was represented by peaks in the FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) spectrum between 450 and 800 cm−1. Subsequently, in an attempt to establish the flame retardant/crease proof/microbial resistant properties of the as-synthesised TiO2 nanoparticles, the TiO2 NPs coated cotton fabric was used for the investigations. Based on the investigations, the bending length (measure of fabric stiffness) value of the coated fabric (%) increased from 2.4 cm (uncoated fabric) to 3.71 cm (at 20% TiO2 coating). Also, the crease recovery angle value increased from 71.8 (uncoated fabric) to 98.6 (20% TiO2 coating), respectively. A vertical flammability test revealed that the burning time decreased from 13.31 s (0%) to 10.84 s (20%), confirming a fire-retardant trait of green synthesised TiO2 nanoparticle coated fabric. Additionally, the disc diffusion method confirmed that the treated coated fabrics exhibit antibacterial properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial cultures: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This study provides an environmentally benign route for producing versatile cotton fabric blended with bioinspired TiO2 NPs possessing improved flame resistance as well as antibacterial attributes.