Multi-functional cotton textiles design using in situ generating zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) for effective UV resistance, antibacterial activity, and self-cleaning

In this study, a multifunctional cotton fabric with durable superhydrophobic, antibacterial, and UV resistance properties was prepared by in situ growth of zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 on cotton fabric surface, followed by polydimethylsiloxane modification. The as-obtained multifunctional cotton fabric not only showed superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 153.0° ± 2.7°, but also displayed good UV resistance with a UV protection factor value of 32. Furthermore, the as-obtained cotton fabric exhibited excellent antibacterial activities against S. aureus and E. coli. Besides, the as-prepared multifunctional cotton fabric had good resistance to mechanical abrasion. Consequently, this multifunctional fabric could be potentially applied to antibacterial and anti-ultraviolet field.