Stabilization of Nanosized TiO2 Particles on Knitted Cotton/Polyester Fabric by Citric Acid for Self-cleaning and Discoloration of Reactive Black 5 from Waste Water

Cotton/polyester knitted fabrics as a major production of textile industry was treated with titanium dioxide nanosized particles. The treated fabric with nanosized TiO2 became whiter with a good self-cleaning property. Also the discoloration of Reactive Black 5 dye was studied and reported. The stabilization of TiO2 on cotton/polyester knitted fabrics by citric acid (CA) with sodium hypophosphate (SHP) as a catalyst was also investigated. These samples showed a good self-cleaning property through discoloration of C.I. Direct Red 80. In addition, using CA in the presence of SHP, helped to stabilize the TiO2 nanosized particles on the fabric surface even after 10 washing cycles. The images of scanning electron microscopy and X-Ray mapping, EDX analyses confirmed the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles on the fabric surfaces even after 10 washing cycles.