Novel Approach for Attaining Cotton Fabric with Multi-Functional Properties

A novel approach for imparting multi-functional properties, i.e., anti-crease, self-cleaning, UV-protecting as well as anti-bacterial properties onto cotton fabric is described. The multi-functional finished cotton fabric was obtained by pretreatment with the reactant resin, as a crosslinker, along with citric acid or PEG-400, as an additive in presence of MgCl ₂ ·6H ₂ O as a catalyst followed by drying, subsequent loading of TiO ₂ -nanoparticles and finally curing. Factors affecting the extent of crosslinking as well as deposition and/or fixation of nano-structured titania cluster onto/into treated fabric samples are studied. The modified cotton samples showed an excellent improvement in their functional properties along with a high durability to wash. The possible mechanisms for deposition/fixation of TiO ₂ -nanoparticles onto and/or within the fabric or the finish/fabric matrix as well as its positive impact on fabric resiliency, self-cleaning, UV-protecting, and anti-bacterial functionality are discussed. Surface morphology and surface elemental composition, especially Ti-content, on the loaded films were studied by SEM and EDS, respectively.