USES OF TITANIUM DIOXIDE IN TEXTILE PRODUCTS

This review study investigates the functional applications of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) in textile products. TiO₂ is a widely used metal oxide compound in the textile industry due to its high thermal stability, photocatalytic activity, and low toxicity. The study particularly focuses on various application areas of TiO₂. One of these is flame-retardant finishing processes, where the incorporation of TiO₂ can reduce the flame propagation rate in textile materials, thereby improving fire resistance. Another significant application is in functional textiles that emit far-infrared (FIR) radiation. Through the addition of ceramic-based materials like TiO₂, textile surfaces can emit FIR waves, which are known to offer health benefits such as improved blood circulation. Additionally, TiO₂ nanoparticles act as strong ultraviolet (UV) filters, protecting fabrics against harmful UV radiation and providing a high level of UV protection. Moreover, the applications of TiO₂ in nanofiber production, photocatalytic treatment of textile wastewater, bleaching of textile fibers, and the development of self-cleaning surfaces are also examined. The photocatalytic properties of TiO₂ enable the decomposition of organic contaminants and dyes under light exposure, imparting self-cleaning capabilities to fabrics and contributing to the removal of dye pollutants from textile wastewater. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these applications by compiling and synthesizing findings from previously published research through an extensive literature review.