Hydrophobic, fireproof, UV-blocking and antibacterial cotton fabric activated by bio-based PA/ODA/TiO2

Versatile cotton fabrics can be used in a variety of special environments and offer unparalleled advantages in textile products. In this work, bio-based phytic acid (PA), octadecylamine (ODA) and TiO2 (NPs) were used as raw materials to prepare multifunctional cotton fabrics with excellent flame retardant (LOI = 48.5%), hydrophobic (WCA = 152 degrees), UV-blocking (UPF = 2000) and antibacterial (BR = 100%) properties through a facile and scalable dip coating and spraying process. Firstly, the phytic acid was grafted onto the surface of cotton fabric by esterification reaction between its phosphoric acid group and the hydroxyl group of cellulose molecules. Then ODA reacted with the residual phosphoric acid group of phytic acid to form an ODA layer, for further immobilizing TiO2 (NPs) particles on the surface of cotton fabric. The resulting cotton fabric possessed excellent flame resistance (LOI > 36.2%), hydrophobicity (WCA > 138 degrees), UV-blocking (UPF = 2000) and antibacterial abilities (BR > 96.0%) even after 20 washing cycles. Moreover, this modification process did not sacrifice the desired cotton properties, including water vapor permeability, flexibility and tensile strength. This work proposed a simple and scalable pad-dry curing method to construct stable and multifunctional cotton textiles, which have broadened application prospects in many fields. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

In this study, versatile cotton fabrics were prepared with excellent flame retardancy, hydrophobicity, UV-blocking and antibacterial properties using bio-based phytic acid, octadecylamine and TiO2. The modification process did not compromise the desired properties of cotton fabrics, and has broad application prospects.