Coating of modified ZnO nanoparticles on cotton fabrics for enhanced functional characteristics

The incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) into textile fabrics can transform ordinary products to endow the new functional characteristics owing to their interesting surface characteristics. The surface functionalization of NPs can play a key role in controlling the colloidal stability followed by interactions between substrate and NPs leading to enhanced functional characteristics. Here, the synthesis of ZnO NPs was carried out through hydrothermal method. The surface of NPs was modified using silanol and tertiary amine-based coupling agents. The functionalized NPs were characterized using zeta potential, size distribution, XRD, EDX, and FTIR. The size of prepared NPs was observed as 34 nm. The disperse stability of functionalized NPs was studied by varying the concentration of coupling agent and assessed through the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) and antibacterial activity of the fabrics treated with functionalized NPs. The functionalized NPs exhibited stable dispersion with higher zeta potential and have a smaller size. A significant improvement in the UPF value and antibacterial activity of treated cotton fabrics was observed.