Photocatlytic nanomaterials based on doped TiO2 for leather garments and upholstery with self-cleaning properties

In the recent years there has been a growing concern in the development, promotion and marketing of products for photocatalytic coatings, especially based on TiO2, with minimum environmental impact and beneficial effects on quality of life. The increasing demand for light colors (white, beige, grey) in upholstery, automotive and garment leathers has spurred the producers to improve the anti-soiling properties of finishing polymers. By applying innovative technologies for leather finishing with composite polymers containing photocatalysts based on TiO2 nanoparticles doped with metals/non-metals one can obtain leather products with advanced surface properties (self-cleaning, self-sterilization, antifogging, fire resistance). In our work there were synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles doped with different elements which have shown an improvement of the photocatalytic decomposition of organic pollutant models such as Orange II, Methylene Blue or ball pen ink in solution or on leather surface exposed to UV and/or Vis radiations. Photocatalytic nanoparticles and leather surface properties were characterised by photodegradation tests, electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance (DRS), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and contact angle determinations. The use of doped TiO2 nanoparticles on leather surface showed soil repellency through contact angle increased values and self-cleaning properties under UV-Vis radiation exposure.