A novel multifunctional cotton fabric using ZrO₂ NPs/urea/CTAB/MA/SHP: introducing flame retardant, photoactive and antibacterial properties

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the possibility of producing multifunctional properties on cotton fabric using ZrO₂ nanoparticles along with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and urea. Maleic acid was also used as a cross-linking agent in the presence of sodium hypophosphite as the catalyst to stabilize fabric from creasing and nanoparticles on the fabric surface. The flame retardant properties of the treated samples were examined using char length and thermogravimetry analysis. The self-cleaning properties of treated cotton fabrics were also analyzed based on the discoloration of methylene blue under sunlight irradiation. The antibacterial activities of treated fabrics were examined against Escherichia coli through counting method. The surface of the treated cotton and microstructure of nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Introducing urea as a nitrogen source enhanced both the flame retardant and photoactivity of the nano-ZrO₂-treated fabric. Moreover, incorporating CTAB in the finishing formulation exhibited the satisfactory antibacterial properties on the treated fabrics.

Keywords:

• flame retardant
• cotton fabric
• ZrO₂ nanoparticles
• urea
• antibacterial properties
• self-cleaning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.