14.02.2018 | Original Paper | Ausgabe 4/2018
TiO2–SiO2 Janus particles for photocatalytic self-cleaning of cotton fabric
- Zeitschrift:
- Cellulose > Ausgabe 4/2018
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The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1698-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Abstract
Titania nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), when applied directly on textile surfaces for self-cleaning applications, often result in poor wash durability and degradation of the substrate on exposure to UV light. Janus structures having nano-titania deposited on one half of silica (SiO2) particles have been explored to address these issues. The Janus particles could be applied on cotton fabric at neutral pH and exhibited higher photocatalytic activity under neutral conditions unlike TiO2 NPs, which required strongly acidic environment both during application and photocatalysis. The Janus particles attached durably to the fabric through their SiO2 surface with TiO2 layer facing upwards resulting in formation of a SiO2 bridge between the active TiO2 layer and the fabric surface. The improved properties were attributed to the characteristic morphology of Janus particles.