Islamic Azad University

About: Islamic Azad University is a education organization based out in Tehran, Iran. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 83635 authors who have published 113437 publications receiving 1275049 citations. The organization is also known as: Azad University.

Using graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite as a new route for preparation of electroconductive, self-cleaning, antibacterial and antifungal cotton fabric without toxicity

Abstract: A novel and efficient process is reported for fabrication of electroconductive, self-cleaning, antibacterial and antifungal cellulose textiles using a graphene/titanium dioxide nanocomposite. Cotton fabric was loaded with graphene oxide using a simple dipping coating method. The graphene oxide-coated cotton fabrics were then immersed in TiCl3 aqueous solution as both a reducing agent and a precursor to yield a fabric coated with graphene/titanium dioxide nanocomposite. The crystal phase, morphology, microstructure and other physicochemical properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy. Electrical resistance, self-cleaning performance, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of treated fabrics were also assessed. The electrical conductivity of the graphene/titanium dioxide nanocomposite-coated fabrics was improved significantly by the presence of graphene on the surface of cotton fabrics. The self-cleaning efficiency of the treated fabrics was tested by degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under UV and sunlight irradiations. The results indicated that the decomposition rates of methylene blue were improved by the addition of graphene to the TiO2 treatment on fabrics. Moreover, the graphene/titanium dioxide nanocomposite-coated cotton samples had negligible toxicity and possessed excellent antimicrobial activity.