Reducing photoyellowing of wool using nano TiO2

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Wool's low photostability limits its use in textiles.
• UV radiation causes significant photodegradation in wool fibers.
• Developing UV protection for wool is crucial for the textile industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the use of nano titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) for protecting wool fabric against UV rays.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of nano TiO(2) as a UV absorber on wool.
• To determine the influence of nano TiO(2) concentration on wool's photoprotection.

Main Methods:

• Wool fabric samples (oxidized and raw) were treated with citric acid as a cross-linking agent.
• Various concentrations of nano TiO(2) were applied to the treated wool samples.
• X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to confirm the presence of TiO(2) nanoparticles on the wool surface.
• Whiteness and yellowness of the treated wool samples were measured.

Main Results:

• X-ray diffraction confirmed the successful deposition of TiO(2) nanoparticles onto the wool fabric.
• Nano TiO(2) treatment demonstrated effective UV absorption capabilities for wool.
• The degree of UV protection was found to be dependent on the concentration of nano TiO(2) used.

Conclusions:

• Nano TiO(2) is a viable and effective agent for enhancing the UV resistance of wool fabrics.
• The concentration of nano TiO(2) plays a critical role in its UV-blocking performance on wool.
• This research offers a promising method to improve the durability and longevity of wool textiles against photodegradation.