Surface-engineered Ag/TiO$_2$/graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites on cotton textiles for multifunctional photocatalytic, UV shielding, and antibacterial performance

Glažar, Dominika (author), Tomšič, Brigita (author), Jerman, Ivan (author), Chouhan, Raghuraj S. (author), Šuligoj, Andraž (author), Zorc, Matija (author), Pintar, Albin (author), Kovač, Janez (author), Krajnc, Andraž (author), Ruiz-Zepeda, Francisco (author), Simončič, Barbara (author)

Ternary noble metal/semiconductor heterostructures are emerging as versatile platforms for multifunctional materials, but their integration into textiles remains limited. In this study, ultrasound-assisted sol–gel synthesis of Ag/TiO$_2$/graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) nanocomposites directly on cotton fabric was developed. Two synthesis routes, i.e. in situ and ex situ were carried out at 20 °C and 70 °C to simultaneously achieve photocatalytic, UV protection, and antimicrobial properties. In situ synthesis at 70 °C resulted in the highest loading of TiO$_2$ and Ag nanoparticles (NPs), leading to superior multifunctional performance. The enhanced photocatalytic activity and photostability of the nanocomposite under solar light irradiation were attributed to a Type-II heterojunction between TiO$_2$ and gCN, the Schottky barrier formation at the Ag/TiO$_2$ interface, and the localised surface plasmon resonance of the Ag NPs. The synergistic effect of gCN and Ag NPs on UV-A absorption combined with TiO$_2$-mediated UV-B shielding resulted in a UV protection factor of 90. The dual effect of Ag$^+$ and Ag$^0$ species provided complete bacterial inactivation of S. aureus and E. coli. The level of Ag NPs remained below the cytotoxic threshold, ensuring excellent cytocompatibility. These results establish Ag/TiO$_2$/gCN nanocomposite-functionalised cotton as a promising candidate for advanced biomedical and technical textile applications.

• Language: English
• Keywords: textile, multifunctional properties, nanocomposites, g-C$_3$N$_4$, titanium dioxide, silver
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: NTF - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering; FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 23 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 721, art. 165446
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-182835
• UDC: 677
• ISSN on article: 0169-4332
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.165446
• COBISS.SI-ID: 260439043
• Publication date in RUL: 25.05.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Applied surface science
• Shortened title: Appl. surf. sci.
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0169-4332
• COBISS.SI-ID: 3283215

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: tekstilije, večfunkcionalnost, nanokompoziti, g-C$_3$N$_4$, titanov dioksid, srebro