Multifunctional Design Integrating Flame-Retardant, UV Shielding, and Antibacterial Functionality into Superhydrophobic Cotton Fabric

Addressing the issues of inferior film formation, poor durability, and self-degradation of the substrate during the surface loading of TiO₂ on fabrics, while preserving its excellent photocatalytic properties and imparting exceptional versatility to cotton fabrics, remains a major challenge. This study presents a novel yet facile strategy for fabricating durable superhydrophobic cotton textiles (designated as Cot-<i>g</i>-TiO₂) through a combination of radiation-initiated grafting and in situ mineralization. The methodology entails sequential modification with γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MAPS) and dodecafluoroheptyl acrylate (DFMA) monomers, culminating in titanium dioxide nanoparticle deposition. Systematic evaluation of MAPS/DFMA-TiO₂ composite ratios revealed significant improvements in multiple functional characteristics compared to those of pristine cotton substrates. Key findings demonstrate that the synergistic effect of MAPS-DFMA-TiO₂ nanocomposites endows the modified fabric with remarkable water repellency (contact angle of ∼155°), achieving a 37.5% reduction in peak heat release rate and a 34.7% decrease in total heat release. Antimicrobial tests showed a more than 86% inhibition of <i>Escherichia coli</i>. The covalent bonding between grafted polymer chains and cellulose fibers ensures extraordinary mechanical resilience, evidenced by the superhydrophobicity being maintained after 30 accelerated laundering cycles (ΔWCA < 5°). Notably, the material exhibits unique self-repairing capability where surface abrasion-induced hydrophobicity loss can be autonomously restored through molecular chain migration from the bulk to the interface during washing.