Superhydrophobic cotton fabrics based on Zno nanoparticles functionalization

Abstract

In the present work 100 % cotton knitted fabrics were functionalized with ZnO nanoparticles, in order to enhance the hydrophobic properties of the fibers surface. The ZnO nanoparticles were incorporated onto different types of cotton samples including coated, uncoated and uncoated anionically washed. The wettability of the samples was measured by water contact angle (WCA) measurements. The results showed great improvement with the treated coated textile when compared to the coated fabric, exhibiting superhydrophobic behaviour with static WACs of more than 150°. Although ZnO treated uncoated samples had a slightly lower wettability, the washed sample showed interesting results, with total covering of the fibres with ZnO.