Fasten UV-Resistant Cotton Textiles by Modification with Mixed Metal-Ce-MOF

Nowadays, manufacturing of ultraviolet (UV) protective textiles is quite interesting for the outdoor workers to protect their bodies from harmful radiation. Herein, for the first time, durable UV-protective cotton textiles were produced by modification with the mixed metal-Ce organic framework. Cotton was first interacted with 1,2,4-tricarboxybenzene-2,4-anhydride through benzylation reaction. The benzylated cotton (BTC-C = O@Cotton) was then reacted with two metal salts including Cerium salt to obtain Ce-M-BTC-C = O@Cotton. The estimated contents of Ce and the mixed metal within Ce-M-BTC-C = O@Cotton were 3.3% and 0.4%, respectively. The color of cotton was turned to bluish-green color, greenish-yellow color and reddish color after incorporation with Ce-Cu-BTC, Ce-Ni-BTC and Ce-Co-BTC, respectively. The all-modified fabrics exhibited UV-blocking character from good to excellent, depending on the inserted mixed metal. The measured UV-protection factor (UPF) was 34.7 (very good) for Ce-Cu-BTC-C = O@Cotton, 43.1 (excellent) for Ce-Ni-BTC-C = O@Cotton, 26.4 (good) for Ce-Zn-BTC-C = O@Cotton, and 33.3 (very good) for Ce-Co-BTC-C = O@Cotton. After 5 washing cycles, Ce-Ni-BTC-C = O@Cotton and Ce-Co-BTC-C = O@Cotton showed good UV protection. The mechanical properties of cotton textiles were not significantly affected after modification with Ce-M-BTC.