Photocatalytic self-cleaning properties of cellulosic fibers modified by nano-sized zinc oxide

• Published in: Thin solid films 2011-03, Vol.519 (11), p.3641-3646
• Main Authors: Moafi, Hadi Fallah, Shojaie, Abdollah Fallah, Zanjanchi, Mohammad Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cellulose fibers; Cellulosic fiber; Chemistry; Coating; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Diffraction; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers; General and physical chemistry; General, apparatus; Liquid phase epitaxy; deposition from liquid phases (melts, solutions, and surface layers on liquids); Materials science; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Nano-sized zinc oxide; Nanomaterials; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanostructure; Other topics in nanoscale materials and structures; Photocatalysis; Physical radiation effects, radiation damage; Physics; Reflectance; Self-cleaning; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Surface physical chemistry; Zinc oxide
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2011.01.347

Nano-sized zinc oxide was synthesized and deposited onto cellulosic fibers using the sol–gel process at ambient temperature. The prepared materials were characterized using several techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. X-ray diffraction studies of the ZnO-coated fiber indicate formation of the hexagonal crystal phase which was satisfactory crystallized on the fiber surface. The electron micrographs show formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles within 10–15nm in size which have been homogeneously dispersed on the fiber surface. The prepared materials show significant photocatalytic self-cleaning activity, which was monitored by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photoactivity was studied upon measuring the photodegradation of methylene blue and eosin yellowish under UV–Vis irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of the treated fabrics was fully maintained performing several cycles of photodegradation.