In-situ Synthesis of SiO2 Nanoparticles on Polyester Fabric as Benign Multi-purpose Catalysts

Here, silica nanoparticles (NPs) as safe multi-purpose catalysts were in situ synthesized on PET fabric to achieve a higher quality fabric. The PET fabric was treated in an aqueous solution of sodium silicate and ammonia at boil for 1 h to insitu synthesis silica NPs along with aminolysis of the fabric. Effect of silica NPs as the multi-purpose catalysts on the fabric were subjected to various analysis such as self-cleaning, hydrophilic, antibacterial and antifungal properties and also thermal resistance. The surface morphology, the crystalline structure and elemental analysis were studied by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and map and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The optimized treated fabric indicated 4 s for the water to spread and 65 degrees for contact angle provided higher hydrophilic properties. Silica NPs on the fabric showed thermo-catalytic behavior protecting against yellowing at high temperature (200 degrees C for 3 h) proved the higher thermal resistance of the treated fabric. Also, the fabric specified good self-cleaning properties through discoloration of methylene blue solution. Further, the treated fabric proposed 100 % anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albican along with good cell viability. Overall, this research indicates silica NPs as multi-purpose catalysts including photo, bio and thermo-catalyst on the PET fabric using low price materials.