Superhydrophobic and photocatalytic self-cleaning cotton fabric using flower-like N-doped TiO2/PDMS coating

Self-cleaning fabrics can be developed based on introducing two mechanisms of superhydrophobicity and photocatalytic activity to conventional fabrics. However, there are some downsides such as inefficiency superhydrophobic coatings against oily contaminants low effectiveness surface treatments under visible light which have restricted the widespread applications these functional products. This research presents development self-cleaning cotton fabric with dual functionalities using microhierarchial TiO2-based particles. It is aimed fabricate fluorine-free durable simultaneous simulated sunlight. Fluorine-free coating formulations composed flower-like particles, either TiO2 or nitrogen-doped TiO2, polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) polymer were applied a facile dip-coating method. The performance was assessed their effective removal oil-based stains Additionally, impact nitrogen doping enhancing particles investigated. obtained results demonstrated that presence both PDMS hierarchical generated excellent water contact angle 156.7° ± 1.9°. In addition, coated exhibited highly efficient activity, decomposing absorbed after 30 min irradiation. Nitrogen process significantly boosted in degrading food Rhodamine B dye solution. showed high robustness chemical physical durability tests.