Multifunctional cotton fabric using TiO2/SiO2 nanocomposite

Cotton fabrics were treated with TiO 2 /SiO 2 nanocomposite sols at ambient temperature. Three molar ratios of Ti/Si including 1:0.4, 1:1 and 1:2.3 were employed to prepare the sols. Tetra ethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) were used as the precursors of Si and Ti, respectively. The finishing step of samples was carried out based on the dip-pad-drycure process. UV-protection and self-cleaning were evaluated based on the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) and coffee stain removal under UV. The surface morphology of coated samples was analyzed by SEM images. It was observed that TiO 2 /SiO 2 coated fabrics showed higher performance in UV-absorption and selfcleaning in comparison with TiO 2 coated samples.