Low-temperature, sol-gel-synthesized, silver-doped titanium oxide coatings to improve ultraviolet-blocking properties for cotton fabrics

A new finishing process for cotton fabrics was developed that includes the treatment of cotton fabrics by a pad-dry-cure method with different amounts of Ag-doped, Ti-based transparent solutions prepared with a sol-gel method. Within this framework, transparent solutions were prepared with solutions of Ag- and Ti-based precursors, isopropyl alcohol, and glacial acetic acid. Then, cotton fabrics were padded with these solutions. After these processes, the padded fabrics were dried at 80°C for 30 min in air, and the coated fabrics were cured at 150°C for 5 min to produce Ag-doped TiO₂ films on the fabrics. The turbidity, pH, wettability, and rheological properties of the prepared solutions were measured. The thermal, structural, and microstructural properties of the coatings were extensively characterized with differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The thicknesses of the films were estimated with a refractometer and a spectrophotometer. In addition, the add-on values, wash fastness, ultraviolet protection, lightness, and contact angles of the coated fabrics were determined. The treatment of the fabrics with a 30 atom % Ag doped, Ti-based solution imparted to the fabrics a good ultraviolet-protection factor rating of 15+, which was an increase of 10+ in comparison with the ultraviolet-protection factor of the untreated fabric (5+). The produced fabrics were also water-resistant. Hence, this method produced multifunctional fabrics that were water-resistant and ultraviolet-protective.