Ultrasound mediation for one-pot sonosynthesis and deposition of magnetite nanoparticles on cotton/polyester fabric as a novel magnetic, photocatalytic, sonocatalytic, antibacterial and antifungal textile.

A magnetic cotton/polyester fabric with photocatalytic, sonocatalytic, antibacterial and antifungal activities was successfully prepared through in-situ sonosynthesis method under ultrasound irradiation. The process involved the oxidation of Fe(2+) to Fe(3+) via hydroxyl radicals generated through bubbles collapse in ultrasonic bath. The treated samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. Photocatalytic and sonocatalytic activities of magnetite treated fabrics were also evaluated toward Reactive Blue 2 decoloration under sunlight and ultrasound irradiation. Central composite design based on response surface methodology was applied to study the influence of iron precursor, pH and surfactant concentration to obtain appropriate amount for the best magnetism. Findings suggested the potential of one-pot sonochemical method to synthesize and fabricate Fe3O4 nanoparticles on cotton/polyester fabric possessing appropriate saturation magnetization, 95% antibacterial efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus and 99% antifungal effect against Candida albicans, 87% and 70% dye photocatalytic and sonocatalytic decoloration along with enhanced mechanical properties using only one iron rich precursor at low temperature.

In situ synthesis of nano ZnO on starch sized cotton introducing nano photo active fabric optimized with response surface methodology.

In this study the idea of in situ synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles on starch sized raw cotton fabric was followed to produce white cotton fabric with durable self-cleaning activity and tunable wettability. Alkaline condition of the preparation procedure played a prominent role in the synthesis and adsorption of ZnO nanoparticles on the cellulosic fabric. Moreover, starch size assisted the synthesis procedure and controlling the size of nanoparticles. The successful synthesis of nano ZnO particles on the treated fabrics was confirmed with XRD, FESEM and EDX. A central composite design based on response surface methodology was applied to study the influence of zinc nitrate and NaOH concentration, and their appropriate percentage for the best photoactivity and whiteness was obtained. The treated fabrics indicated good self-cleaning property toward degradation of Methylene Blue stain under sunlight irradiation while simultaneously benefited from higher whiteness due to the photo activity of nano white ZnO that is called "nano-photo bleaching".