Experimental Studies on Sol-Gel Derived Titanium Dioxide Finishing of Fabric For Self Cleaning

Abstract

Titanium oxide (TiO2) in the anatase structure has been used as an excellent photo catalyst for photo decomposition and solar energy conversion. The sol-gel process includes the analysis of inorganic networks through the formation of a colloidal suspension (sol) and gelation of the sol form a network in a continuous liquid phase (gel). The Titanium oxide (TiO2) sol-gel is prepared by three methods- using acetic acid and solvent ethanol, using nitric acid and solvent water and by acetic acid, solvent ethanol and hydrogen peroxide. All samples deep coated. The fabric samples were dried at 80°C for 10 min and then cured at 100 °C for 10 min in a preheated oven. Finally, steaming treatment was given to the fabric at 97 °C for 1.5 hr to induce the formation of electro-gel TiO2 i.e anatase. Color Eye 7000Å spectrophotometer is used to know the photo-degradation of stain. Nitric acid hydrolyzed sol-gel TiO2 treated fabric samples show good stain loss as compared to acetic acid hydrolyzed sol gel TiO2. Nitric acid hydrolyzed sol-gel TiO2 treated fabric samples observed under microscope show uniform distribution coating on treated fabric sample. Physical testing of fabric samples show that one has to compromise on draping qualities and service life of the fabric to make fabric self-cleaning.