Review
Functionalization of textile materials with TiO2 nanoparticles

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochemrev.2013.04.002Get rights and content

Highlights

Abstract

Extraordinary photocatalytic activity, non-toxicity, high availability, biocompatibility, and low price make TiO2 nanoparticles particularly attractive for manufacturing of different high value-added products. During the past several years, many efforts have been made to immobilize TiO2 nanoparticles onto textile materials with an aim to produce goods with multifunctional properties such as UV protective, self-cleaning and antibacterial. The processing of textile materials with TiO2 nanoparticles is relatively simple, but insufficient binding efficiency between certain fibers and TiO2 nanoparticles imposes a problem concerning the stability and durability of nanocomposite systems during their exploitation. Therefore, recent studies were more oriented toward chemical and physico-chemical modification of fiber surfaces that may enhance the binding efficiency of TiO2 nanoparticles. This article looks at some latest advances in finishing of different textile materials with TiO2 nanoparticles.

Introduction

Recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have tremendous impact on almost all industries and many segments of daily life. The huge investments in funding of research and rapid feedback from laboratories made nanotechnology securely embedded in the global market. Although enormous progress in this field has been already made, nanotechnologies still pose many questions and challenges including their industrial scale implementation that would enable commercial manufacturing of nanomaterials and corresponding products, environmental, safety and health concern, etc. [1], [2], [3], [4]. A large number (more than thousand) of labeled commercial products (electronic, automotive, medical, cosmetics, optics, etc.) contain different nanoparticles (NPs) [1], [2], [5], [6]. Ag NPs are currently the most commonly used nano-engineered material due to their outstanding antimicrobial activity [1]. However, the potentials of metal oxide nanoparticles, in particular TiO2 NPs, offer broader application [7], [8]. This photocatalyst can be efficiently utilized for self-cleaning of surfaces [9], [10], [11], water and air purification [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], anti-fogging surfaces [17], [18], photovoltaics [19], [20], [21], [22], etc.

The positive experience in familiar fields and the prospects of good technical and economical success were promptly recognized by textile industry and thus, the finishing of textile materials with Ag, TiO2 and ZnO NPs became the focus of many research groups worldwide during the last decade. Numerous studies on Ag NPs application to textile surfaces and increasing microbial resistance to various available antibiotics facilitated the commercial manufacturing of textile goods with antimicrobial properties which were readily accepted by consumers [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33]. At the same time, the interest for TiO2 NPs immobilization onto textile materials is continually growing due to their extraordinary photocatalytic activity, non-toxicity, high availability, biocompatibility, and low price [34], [35]. Actually, the crucial point is that TiO2 NPs simultaneously impart antibacterial, UV protective and self-cleaning properties to textile materials. Taking into account ever growing consumer demands, the fact that small amount of TiO2 NPs provides desirable effects as well as relatively simple routes for their synthesis and further processing, it becomes clear why such multifunctional nanocomposite textile materials are of interest for textile industry. However, unlike textile goods with incorporated Ag NPs that are already available in the market, textiles modified with TiO2 NPs are still on the level of exploration. In spite of their numerous potential applications and evident benefits, there are several concerns which inhibit commercialization of such products requiring further research. The problematic issues are primarily related to exploitation and maintenance of textile goods containing TiO2 NPs. Namely, unsatisfactory durability of obtained effects due to insufficient stability of TiO2 NPs on textile materials demands improvement of binding efficiency between NPs and fibers. This can be achieved with more or less success by certain functionalization of fibers prior to deposition of TiO2 NPs. On the other hand, the fate of fibers impregnated with TiO2 NPs exposed to longer UV irradiation i.e. their integrity and possible degradation due to the contact with photocatalyst has not been evaluated to a great extent yet.

Montazer and Pakdel recently published a review paper focused on the functionalization of wool fibers with TiO2 NPs [36]. Current review was intended to give broader insight into advances in finishing of different textile materials with TiO2 NPs. The major effects (antibacterial activity, UV protection, self-cleaning properties) imparted to textile materials by impregnation with TiO2 NPs have been described in detail. Special emphasis has been given to various chemical and physico-chemical modifications of textile surfaces which result in functionalization of fibers and hence, facilitate the binding of TiO2 NPs. In addition, the effect of silver on TiO2 NPs photocatalytic activity has been considered.

Section snippets

The mechanism of TiO2 NPs action

Before describing the beneficial effects provided by TiO2 NPs deposited on textile materials, I find useful briefly to explain how these NPs actually act. The size, shape, crystalline structure and specific surface area determine the chemical, optical, and electrical properties as well as photocatalytic activity of TiO2 NPs [37]. These characteristics mainly depend on the method applied for their synthesis [38], [39]. Although three common crystalline structures of TiO2 (anatase, rutile and

The application of TiO2 NPs to textile materials

The impregnation of textile materials with TiO2 NPs is typically conducted by dip-coating method. After being immersed in TiO2 NPs colloid or suspension for certain time, the fabrics are padded, dried and cured. Afterwards, they are usually rinsed with water and dried. This procedure is described here in rough outline. Although the times of immersion in the colloid, padding pressures, temperatures and times of drying and curing as well as rinsing methodologies vary from author to author, the

Conclusions

This review clearly indicates that huge potential of TiO2 nanoparticles could be efficiently utilized for imparting antibacterial, self-cleaning and UV-protective properties to various textile materials. Simple routs for processing of textile materials with TiO2 nanoparticles and the fact that small amount of this cheap, chemically and physically stable photocatalyst provide desired effects make TiO2 nanoparticles particularly attractive finishing agent which can find a broad application in

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia, project nos. 45020 and 172056.

Maja Radetić was born in 1971 in Belgrade, Serbia. She received her BSc (1995) in chemical engineering from the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia. She received her MSc (1998) and Ph.D. (2003) in textile engineering from the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia. Currently, she is an associate professor at Textile Engineering Department at the same institution. She has also been a visiting associate professor at the Ghent

References (133)

  • C. Lo et al.

    Technovation

    (2012)
  • A. Fujishima et al.

    Surf. Sci. Rep.

    (2008)
  • A. Fujishima et al.

    J. Photochem. Photobiol. C

    (2000)
  • I. Oller et al.

    J. Hazard. Mater.

    (2006)
  • W.K. Jo et al.

    Chemosphere

    (2004)
  • J.H. Kim et al.

    Catal. Today

    (2006)
  • T. Watanabe et al.

    Thin Solid Films

    (1999)
  • M. Grätzel

    J. Photochem. Photobiol. C

    (2003)
  • M. Grätzel

    J. Photochem. Photobiol. A

    (2004)
  • M. Montazer et al.

    J. Photochem. Photobiol. C

    (2011)
  • O. Carp et al.

    Prog. Solid State Chem.

    (2004)
  • D.C. Hurum et al.

    J. Electron Spectrosc.

    (2006)
  • U. Stafford et al.

    Chem. Phys. Lett.

    (1993)
  • D.S. Muggli et al.

    Appl. Catal., B

    (2001)
  • T. Ohno et al.

    J. Catal.

    (2001)
  • A. Bozzi et al.

    J. Photochem. Photobiol. A

    (2005)
  • A. Bozzi et al.

    J. Photochem. Photobiol. A

    (2005)
  • T. Yuranova et al.

    Catal. Today

    (2007)
  • Q. Li et al.

    Water Res.

    (2008)
  • T. Saito et al.

    J. Photochem. Photobiol. B

    (1992)
  • K. Sunada et al.

    J. Photochem. Photobiol. A

    (2003)
  • P. Liu et al.

    Colloids Surf. B

    (2010)
  • A. Kumar et al.

    Free Radic. Biol. Med.

    (2011)
  • E. Galoppini

    Coord. Chem. Rev.

    (2004)
  • W.A. Daoud et al.

    Surf. Sci.

    (2005)
  • K.T. Meilert et al.

    J. Mol. Catal.

    (2005)
  • T. Yuranova et al.

    J. Mol. Catal.

    (2006)
  • M.I. Mejía et al.

    Appl. Catal. B

    (2009)
  • J. Kiwi et al.

    Catal. Today

    (2010)
  • Z. Liuxue et al.

    Surf. Coat. Technol.

    (2007)
  • M.J. Uddin et al.

    J. Photochem. Photobiol. A

    (2007)
  • D. Wu et al.

    Surf. Coat. Technol.

    (2009)
  • A. Nazari et al.

    Appl. Catal. A

    (2009)
  • A. Nazari et al.

    Carbohydr. Polym.

    (2011)
  • F. Lessan et al.

    Thermochim. Acta

    (2011)
  • W.S. Tung et al.

    Acta Biomater.

    (2009)
  • W.S. Tung et al.

    J. Colloid Interface Sci.

    (2008)
  • Nanotechnology Consumer Product Inventory. Washington, DC, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Woodrow Wilson...
  • T.M. Benn et al.

    Environ. Sci. Technol.

    (2008)
  • P. Tavares et al.

    J. Nanopart. Res.

    (2012)
  • E. Asmatulu et al.

    J. Nanopart. Res.

    (2012)
  • D.W. Hobson

    Wiley Interdiscip. Rev.-Nanomed. Nanotechnol.

    (2009)
  • X. Chen et al.

    Chem. Rev.

    (2007)
  • A. Heller

    Acc. Chem. Res.

    (1995)
  • R. Wang et al.

    Adv. Mater.

    (1998)
  • D.F. Ollis et al.

    Environ. Sci. Technol.

    (1991)
  • J.M. Herrmann

    Top. Catal.

    (2005)
  • A. Fujishima et al.

    Int. Glass Rev.

    (1998)
  • M. Grätzel

    Prog. Photovolt.

    (2000)
  • M. Grätzel

    J. Sol.–Gel. Sci. Technol.

    (2001)
  • Cited by (0)

    Maja Radetić was born in 1971 in Belgrade, Serbia. She received her BSc (1995) in chemical engineering from the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia. She received her MSc (1998) and Ph.D. (2003) in textile engineering from the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia. Currently, she is an associate professor at Textile Engineering Department at the same institution. She has also been a visiting associate professor at the Ghent University (Belgium) in September 2012. She is a member of editorial board of International Journal of Textile Science and Technology and editorial advisory board of Journal of Textile & Engineer. Her research interests include plasma modification of textile materials, modification of textile materials with biopolymers and nanoparticles, textile sorbents.

    View full text