Multifunctional hybrid functionalization of cellulose fabrics with AgNWs and TiO2

Abstract A study on the hybrid functionalization of cotton and viscose fabrics using silver nanowires (AgNWs) colloid and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) sol prepared in sol–gel technique was carried out. The microwave treatment was applied to change amorphous form of TiO 2 to anatase. The photocatalytic activity of both cellulose fabrics was evaluated by decomposition of nicotine using new method on the basis of infrared spectroscopy. The AgNWs/TiO 2 modification caused 3 and 4 times (cotton fabric) and 1.8 and 1.5 (viscose fabric) faster decomposition of nicotine under respectively UV and VIS light than for unmodified fabrics. The AgNWs/TiO 2 modified cotton showed the surface resistance 1.5 × 10 3  Ω and antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria. The same modification method gives various effects for cotton and viscose fabrics. Our study demonstrates that AgNWs/TiO 2 modified cotton fabric with protective properties against bacteria can be used as conductive and air purifying materials.