Enhancement of photocatalytic self-cleaning activity and antimicrobial properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics

Fabrics with additional surface functions like self-cleaning, UV-protection or antimicrobial properties are highly desirable. TiO2 nanoparticles and composite nanoparticles consisting of AgI/AgCl/TiO2 were prepared. The particles were immobilized on PET fabric. The resulting materials showed proper photocatalytic self-cleaning activity measured by photochemical destruction of methylene blue and antimicrobial properties measured against Escherichia coli (E. coli). All properties of the PET bearing the AgI/AgCl/TiO2 nanocomposite particles are superior compared to the materials bearing the pure anatase nanoparticles.