Photocatalytic, self-cleaning and antibacterial properties of Cu(II) doped TiO₂

In the study, sol-gel based TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) were doped by Cu(II), and the surface of cotton fabric was coated with Cu-doped TiO₂ NPs to develop self-cleaning and antibacterial properties. Coffee stains were introduced on the modified cotton fabric and under suntest illumination; a decrease in the color of coffee stain was followed over time via K/S value to determine self-cleaning performance. The photocurrent in a photoelectrocatalytic reactor was measured to evaluate the photocatalytic effect of Cu(II) doping. TiO₂ NPs showed self-cleaning and antibacterial effects under UV-illuminated conditions. However, no effects were observed under dark (non-illuminated) conditions. The modified textiles with Cu(II) doped TiO₂ NPs showed antibacterial activity against E. coli under light and dark conditions. Under the 2 h illumination period, fluctuating color changes were observed on the raw cotton fabric, and stains remained on the fabric while 78% and 100% color removals were achieved in the cotton fabrics coated by Cu doped TiO₂ NPs in 1 h and 2 h, respectively.