The Effect Of Nanosilica Derived From Rice Husk As Coating Material On The Hydrophobicity Of Cotton Fabric

Cotton is the most cost effective and comfortable clothing material that is characterized as highly flammable and a good moisture absorbent. Introducing nanotechnology to the fabric is one of the most effective approaches in improving and developing its hydrophobicity. Nanosilica derived from rice husk was utilized in this study and showed that the percentage yield of nanosilica derived from rice husk is 23.19. The produced nanosilica have particle diameters of less than 1 micrometer and exhibited non-spherical and irregular fiber-like structures. Three different concentrations of coating solution that is 0.10 g 0.25 g and 0.50 g for every 100 mL of coating solution were produced to see the effect on the cotton fabric. The produced cotton-fabric after deep coating was subjected to characterization tests such as water contact angle water absorption and surface morphology. The water contact angles of the samples were greater than 900 but the sample with 0.50 grams of nanosilica exhibited the highest value which is 112.7360 and 118.4710 on the left side and right side respectively therefore the cotton fabrics were considered hydrophobic. When the samples were subjected to water absorption test the cotton fabric that used 0.5g of nanosilica took 23.45 hours to absorb water which shows that the amount of nanosilica hinders the penetrability of the water on the cotton fabric. Based on the above properties 0.50 g of nanosilica was considered as the best amount of coating material on cotton fabric. The surface morphology was taken at 15 000 magnifications and showed that the nanoparticles adhered to the surface of the cotton having sizes of 52 nm 87 nm 80 nm 104 nm 95 nm and 104 nm. The nanoparticles penetrated deeper and adhered strongly into the fabric matrix thus providing the fibers a rough surface.