Photocatalytic Performances of Textiles Coated with Graphene Oxide/TiO2 Nanocomposites – Part 2

The objective of this 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 composite/polyacrylic binder (c) and treatment of the materials in adhesive polymer followed by immersion in composite dispersion (d). To evaluate the photocatalytic effect of the materials after washing treatment, samples were exposed to ultraviolet and visible light. The trichromatic coordinates of the exposed and non-exposed samples were measured on Hunterlab spectrophotometer. Morphological aspect and TiO2 existing on the materials surface after washing were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis. Cotton fabric treated by method b has the most pronounced photocatalytic effect under UV light, probably because of carboxylic groups of polyacrylic binder that facilitates photooxidation.