In situ loading TiO2 and its photocatalysis and UV resistance on cotton fabric

Anatase TiO2 nanoparticles was in-situ formed on the cotton fabric by using tetrabutyl titanate (TBT) as a precursor through the normal pressure hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV visible spectra (UV-VIS), ATR-IR were used as the characterization techniques. Photocatalytic performance of TiO2 on the fabric surface was evaluated by methylene blue (MB), 4 kinds of the common living stains and three dyes under ultraviolet and visible light radiation. XRD analysis found that the TiO2 loaded on the fabric was mainly anatase crystalline phase with particle size of 6.4 nm. SEM observed that a large number of nano TiO2 particles are distributed on the fabric surface. UV-VIS test indicated that theTiO2-coated fabric possessed an obvious absorption for ultraviolet. ATR-IR analysis indicated that the nano-TiO2 possesses a strong affinity with the hydroxyl group of the cotton fabric, and the soaping tests showed that the TiO2 was firmly bonded with the fabrics. The treated fabrics have good degradation ability for MB aqueous solution, and could degrade azo, anthraquinone and phthalocyanine dyes. The order of degradation of the common life stains was: pepper oil> tea > coffee > soy sauce.