Evolution of Multifunctional Cotton Fabric as the Flame Retardant/Crease Proof/Microbial Resistant Blended With Green Synthesised TiO2 Nanoparticles Coatings

Abstract

In this work, green synthesised TiO₂ nanoparticles' coating was used to improve the fire safety and antibacterial property of 100% cotton fabric. In the first stage, Aloe vera extract was prepared, and subsequently used in the synthesis of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The average size of these as-synthesised TiO₂ nanoparticles was confirmed to be 16 nm using DLS (dynamic light scattering). Further, XRD (X-ray diffraction) patterns confirmed the successful synthesis of nanoparticles. The vibrational photon of TiO₂ was represented by peaks in the FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) spectrum between 450 and 800 cm⁻¹. Subsequently, in an attempt to establish the flame retardant/crease proof/microbial resistant properties of the as-synthesised TiO₂ nanoparticles, the TiO₂ NPs coated cotton fabric was used for the investigations. Based on the investigations, the bending length (measure of fabric stiffness) value of the coated fabric (%) increased from 2.4 cm (uncoated fabric) to 3.71 cm (at 20% TiO₂ coating). Also, the crease recovery angle value increased from 71.8 (uncoated fabric) to 98.6 (20% TiO₂ coating), respectively. A vertical flammability test revealed that the burning time decreased from 13.31 s (0%) to 10.84 s (20%), confirming a fire-retardant trait of green synthesised TiO₂ nanoparticle coated fabric. Additionally, the disc diffusion method confirmed that the treated coated fabrics exhibit antibacterial properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial cultures: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This study provides an environmentally benign route for producing versatile cotton fabric blended with bioinspired TiO₂ NPs possessing improved flame resistance as well as antibacterial attributes.