Single-stage process for bifunctionalization and eco-friendly pigment coloration of cellulosic fabrics

Abstract

A facile single-stage process for enhancing the antibacterial activity and UV-shielding property of cotton and viscose pigment prints was reported. Results indicated that both the functional and coloration properties of the obtained pigment prints were improved significantly by incorporation of TiO2 nano sol (average molecular size approximate to 5 nm, 15 g/kg) into the solvent-free pigment printing pastes. Differences in the imparted antibacterial activity and UV-blocking properties as well as in the depth of the modified pigment prints were attributed to the differences in the type of cellulosic substrate, efficiency of the used binding agent, extent of loading, and immobilizing both the TiO2-NPs and pigment particles during the microwave-fixation step as well as on the type of pigment colorant. Also, the obtained results demonstrated that the modified pigment prints, i.e. TiO2-NPs-loaded pigment prints, showed durable antibacterial efficacy and UV-shielding capacity even after 15 washing cycles, regardless of the used substrate. The scanning electron microscope images and EDX spectra of selected samples were also reported.