Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanoparticles and cotton fabric modified with ZnO nanoparticles via in-situ hydrothermal coating technique: Dual response

ABSTRACT

We represent a simple, facile in situ hydrothermal technique for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and deposition of synthesized nanoparticles on cotton fabric surface in the same reaction media. In our experiment, ZnO nanoparticles and nanoparticles coated cotton fabric used as photocatalyst for photocatalytic degradation of several dyes. ZnO nanoparticles synthesis and surface coating by nanoparticles were carried out using Zinc acetate and FS31 surfactant. The modified cotton fabric was characterized by SEM, EDX and XRD analysis. Hydrophobic and oleophilic modification of cotton were characterized by water and oil drops stay time with contact angle measurement. The photocatalytic degradation properties of nanoparticles and nanoparticles coated cotton fabric were examined in term of photocatalytic elimination of Methylene blue and Methyl orange dye from the contaminated water in presence of sunlight. The results showed that both nanoparticles and ZnO loaded cotton could efficiently decompose MB and MO dyes under sunlight irradiation.

KEYWORDS:

• Cotton
• hydrophobic surface
• ZnO nanoparticles coating
• photodegradation

Acknowledgments

SP and SM are thankful to the Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia and Department of Higher Education, Science & Technology and Biotechnology, Government of West Bengal, India for financial support. JM gratefully acknowledges Dr. R. BAL, IIP Dehradun, India for recording SEM and EDX images of the ZnONPs and fabric samples.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.