Photocatalytic Activity of Zinc Oxide Nano Particules and Boric Acid for Bleaching Process on Cotton Fabric

In this study, a photocatalytic process was applied as an alternative to conventional hydrogen peroxide bleaching on 100% cotton fabric. The effects of ZnO nanoparticles and boric acid as catalysts were investigated. Additionally, the synergistic impact of boric acid on the well-known bleaching effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was explored. Unlike existing literature, the study uniquely addressed whether the photocatalytic process, without the use of any catalyst, has a specific effect, particularly in whitening, on the color spectrum. All conducted photocatalytic processes on cotton fabrics were compared with conventional hydrogen peroxide bleaching in terms of color spectra (CIE L*, a*, b*, whiteness indexes) besides the SEM, SEM-EDX, and FTIR-ATR characterization tests. Moreover, XRD, SEM, and FTIR-ATR analysis results of ZnO nanoparticles were also shared in this study. This research is believed to shed light on future studies by evaluating more environmentally friendly pre-treatment processes in textile industry.