New method of impregnating ZnO nanoparticles on mercerized and non-mercerized cotton fabrics

The expansion of the textile market depends on new technologies such as antibacterial, hydrophobic, UV-protected fabrics, etc. The study of this type of textile involves analysis of the surface area of fibers and their interaction with the functionalizing agent. In this context, nanoparticles arouse great interest due to the increased durability of the functional effect. With the objective of functionalization for UV protection, this work proposes a method for synthesizing ZnO nanoparticles on cotton and mercerized cotton fibers. Textile functionalization was carried out in-situ using the reagents HTMA and Zn (NO3)2.6H2O. The impregnated ZnO content and the phenomena resulting from this process, as well as the structural modifications caused by mercerization, were evaluated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, fire loss and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The results showed that the developed method enables the synthesis of ZnO nanostructures, with hexagonal morphology, on the surface of cotton fabrics. Textiles treated by this technique showed an increase in their protection factor against ultraviolet radiation. Cotton subjected to the studied process can have its UV protection factor doubled when compared to common cotton fabric.