Cotton Modified with Silica Nanoparticles, N,F Codoped TiO₂ Nanoparticles, and Octadecyltrimethoxysilane for Textiles with Self-Cleaning and Visible Light-Based Cleaning Properties

Cotton is widely used in various forms in textile industries, medical appliances, and different commercial materials and appropriate surface modification of cotton can greatly enhance its application potential. In particular, designed cotton surfaces with self-cleaning and sun light-based cleaning property would offer multifunctional applications. Here, we report a surface modification approach that produces self-cleaning superhydrophobic cotton along with the visible light photocleaning option. The surface chemistry involves covalent modification with silica nanoparticles, N,F codoped TiO2 nanoparticles, and octadecyltrimethoxysilane. The nanoscale surface feature is critical for generating self-cleaning supehydrophobic property and the presence of N,F codoped TiO2 nanoparticles allows visible light-based cleaning option. The modified cotton is used for self-cleaning, visible light-based degradation of organic dyes, and oil–water separation applications. The proposed surface modification does not require costly or toxic fluorochemicals and can be adapted for the preparation of self-cleaning cotton fabrics and antifungal/antibacterial surfaces.