Cotton Fabrics Coated with Ag-TiO2 and Ag-TiO2/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites

Ag-TiO2 and Ag-TiO2/reduced graphene oxide nanopowders were deposited onto 100% cotton fabrics via electrostatic spraying method. The surface of cotton fabrics was pre-treated by plasma at atmospheric pressure using argon and nitrogen mixture. The as-prepared cotton fabrics were characterized in terms of structural and optical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical reflectance measurements. The photocatalytic self-cleaning ability of Ag-TiO2 and Ag-TiO2/reduced graphene oxide coated cotton fabrics was evaluated by the photo-discoloration of methylene blue and berries juice stains, under 6 h simulated visible light irradiation. The combined functionalized coating on cotton fabrics demonstrated an improved photocatalytic effect compared with untreated cotton fabrics. The antimicrobial activity of Ag-TiO2 and Ag-TiO2/reduced graphene oxide coated cotton fabrics was tested against the Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans test strains as model microorganism of skin bacteria and fungi, respectively. An antimicrobial effect against the Staphylococcus aureus is observed even if the inhibition zone is not present. Untreated fabrics showed no antibacterial activity. No inhibitory effect on fungi colony growth was observed.