Nanocrystalline TiO_2 coated-fabric for UV shielding and anti-bacterial functions

摘要

Due to excellent photocatalytic and optical properties of titanium dioxide (TiO_2), it has been applied in several products such as food packaging plastics, materials for vehicles or for buildings and sunscreen-protecting cosmetics. In this present work, the synthesized as well as commercial TiO_2 was coated onto a household curtain fabric for anti-microbial and ultraviolet (UV) shielding functions. The coating was performed by inducing the deposition of TiO_2 layer from the Ti precursor onto the fabric surface pre-treated with silane adhesive agent so as to improve the adhesion. Ag nanoparticles were also incorporated in some samples to further improve the antibacterial function. Anti-bacterial activities of the coated fabric were evaluated by standard qualitative test (the Kirby-Bauer test (AATCC 147)). Efficiency for UV shielding was evaluated by measuring a UV-Vis reflection of the coated fabrics both before and after subjecting to several washing cycles. The result showed that the TiO_2-coated fabrics developed had potential as antibacterial and UV shielding for the curtain industry.