Ionic liquid mediated application of nano zinc oxide on cotton fabric for multi-functional properties

Abstract

In this work, nano zinc oxide (nano-ZnO) was applied onto cotton fabric by exhaustion method using an ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl 3-methyl imidazolium chloride [BMIM][Cl], to improve its uptake and fixation. Effect of temperature on the exhaustion of nano-ZnO in the presence of ionic liquid was investigated. A spectrophotometric method was established to determine the concentration of nano-ZnO in the exhausted bath. Treated cotton fabrics were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope, atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Thermo gravimetric analysis and UV spectrophotometry. Washing durability test using the AATCC 61-2003 method demonstrated that the amount of nano-ZnO retained in the cotton substrate was sufficient enough to exhibit 50+ UV protection and 99% inhibition against the tested pathogenic micro-organisms. A plausible mechanism for better exhaustion of nano-ZnO on cotton fabric has been proposed on the basis of ionic liquid driven swelling property of the cotton polymer.

Keywords:

• Cotton fabric
• exhaustion technique
• ionic liquid
• nanotechnology
• nano zinc oxide

Acknowledgement

Authors are thankful to Dr P. G. Patil, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT for his guidance and permission to publish this paper. Authors also wish to extend their thanks to Mr. Rajesh Narkar, Ms. C. D’Souza, Mrs. Sheela Raj, Mr. Vivekanandan and Mr. G. B. Hadge for rendering help in sample analyses.