UV-blocking, superhydrophobic and robust cotton fabrics fabricated using polyvinylsilsesquioxane and nano-TiO₂

UV-blocking, superhydrophobic and robust cotton fabrics were successfully developed by combination of polyvinylsilsesquioxane (PVS) and nano-TiO₂ for the first time. The influence of the add-on amount on morphologies, ultraviolet (UV) protection, hydrophobicity, mechanical properties, rigidity and thermal degradation of the treated cotton fabrics was studied. The nano-TiO₂ particles were found to be embedded in the PVS film layer on the surface of cotton fibers by covalent Ti–O–Si bonds after curing. The UV blocking and hydrophobic properties of the functionalized cotton fabrics were also improved with increases in the amount of add-on, compared to the reference materials. The improvements on the UV blocking, water repellency and rigidity of the treated cotton fabrics are likely attributed to synergism between the PVS polymer and nano-TiO₂. The mechanical properties of the finished cotton fabrics are significantly enhanced by treatment of composite coatings. However, the resistance to thermal degradation evidently did not change despite changes in the add-on amount. Hence this strategy for developing the composite coatings can guide in constructing the advanced functional surface, and the discovery of this new class of UV-blocking, superhydrophobic and robust cotton fabrics has many potential applications such as advanced UV-blocking textiles, stretchable electronic devices and self-cleaning fields.