Synthesis of a new amino/phosphate-modified TiO$_2$/rGO hybrid nanocomposite for sustainable textile functionalization

Rashid, Mohammad Mamunur (author), Simončič, Barbara (author), Zorc, Matija (author), Fink, Rok (author), Čelan Korošin, Nataša (author), Šuligoj, Andraž (author), Kovač, Janez (author), Jerman, Ivan (author), Tomšič, Brigita (author)

Nanocomposites of titanium dioxide (TiO$_2$) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have been considered in recent years as effective photocatalysts for the development of textiles with functional protective properties. This work presents a simple strategy for synthesis of a new type of amino/phosphate-functionalized TiO$_2$/rGO hybrid nanocomposites on the surface of cotton fabric through an effective sol–gel and sol–gel/hydrothermal route. For this purpose, (trihydroxysilyl)propyl methylphosphonate (TPMP) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) were used to enhance the interfacial interaction among TiO$_2$, rGO, and textiles, while also providing an antimicrobial bio-barrier and thermal stability in addition to the photocatalytic activity of TiO$_2$/rGO. The analysis of the developed nanocomposites using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive Xray (EDS), X-ray diffraction microscopy (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the presence of all crucial active compounds in the composites and revealed the amorphous phase of TiO$_2$ irrespective of the application route. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of TPMP and APTES functional groups and the formation of Si-O-Ti and Si-O-Si bonds, indicating the successful synthesis of the amino/phosphate-functionalized TiO$_2$/rGO nanocomposite on the surface of the cotton fabric. Compared with the sol–gel/hydrothermal route, the sol–gel route proved to be more efficient and assured the tailoring of the amino/phosphate/TiO$_2$/rGO nanocomposite with superior performance in UV protection, antimicrobial activity against bacteria E. coli and S. aureus and photocatalytic self-cleaning activity in the discolouration of Rhodamine B dye, as well as improved thermo-oxidative stability as determined through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

• Language: English
• Keywords: cotton fabric, titanium dioxide, TiO$_2$, reduced graphene oxide, rGO, hybrid nanocomposite, sol–gel route, sol–gel/hydrothermal route, functional textile
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: NTF - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering; ZF - Faculty of Health Sciences; FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 19 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 13, iss. 3, art. 116555
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-168721
• UDC: 677
• ISSN on article: 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2025.116555
• COBISS.SI-ID: 232996867
• Publication date in RUL: 18.04.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Journal of environmental chemical engineering
• Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
• ISSN: 2213-3437
• COBISS.SI-ID: 519695385

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: bombažna tkanina, titanov dioksid, TiO$_2$, reduciran grafen oksid, rGO, hibridni nanokompoziti, pot sol-gel, sol-gel/hidrotermalna pot, funkcionalne tekstilije