Photocatalytic Performances of Textiles Coated with Graphene Oxide/TiO2 Nanocomposites – Part 1

The objective of this research work was dedicated to the preparation of photocatalytic textiles based on graphene (0.5%wt)/TiO2 composite. Four different methods were tested to coat the cotton knit: dipping twice the knit in composite (a); dipping twice the knit in composite and finally in a polyacrylate binder (b); dipping the knit in a mixture of composite/polyacrylic binder (c), and treatment of the materials in adhesive polymer followed by immersion in composite dispersion (d). The surface, morphology and distribution of nanoparticles covering the textile materials and also the elemental composition were investigated by scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDAX). The modifications of chemical and physical properties (surface morphology, hidrophily, electrical resistivity, and elemental composition) have been analysed. The obtained values after determination of electrical resistivity demonstrate that method of treating cotton knits with graphene/TiO2 cause a very slight decrease of surface resistivity and a 10 times increase of volume resistivity compared to the blank sample. The results have demonstrated that the applied coatings induce minor modifications of the initial untreated materials.