The assessment of photocatalytic properties of a synthesized TiO2/Ag nanocomposite particle loaded on polyester/cotton fabric via the discoloration of methylene blue

The photocatalytic properties of the TiO2/Ag nanocomposite particles loaded polyester/cotton fabrics investigated by a conventional ex situ method and an in situ method. Both ex situ and in situ synthesis methods were performed by photo-reduction process and the nanocomposite particles were loaded on the fabric surface. The photocatalytic properties of the P/C fabrics was investigated by the discoloration of the methylene blue stain and methylene blue aqueous solution. The diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that the Ag nanoparticles were synthesis on the TiO2 nanoparticles. However, X-Ray Diffraction showed no silver peak due to low concentration of the silver crystals on the fabric surface. The even distribution of the TiO2/Ag nanoparticles was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and map analysis. The results showed that the photocatalytic properties of the TiO2 improve with loading the Ag nanoparticles. The new in situ synthesis of the TiO2/Ag nanoparticles present more photocatalytic properties than the conventional method.