Sliver-doped manganese oxide hollow nanospheres as dual-functional textile coatings for antibacterial and...

Nowadays, the widespread application of nanocatalysts is limited by their inhalable powder forms and low cost-efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate a feasible technique for fabricating composite textiles incorporated with sliver-doped manganese oxide hollow nanospheres (Ag@HM nanohybrids), which exhibit dual-functionality in eliminating indoor bacteria and formaldehyde (HCHO). Specifically, the Ag@HM nanohybrids were synthesized through a stepwise process involving silica-templated synthesis of manganese oxide (MnO₂), selective etching of sacrificial templates, and in-situ silver redox doping. Subsequent immobilization of as-synthesized nanohybrids on cotton fibers was achieved by utilizing sodium tetraborate, which established robust chemical linkages between the hydroxyl-rich MnO₂ nanospheres and cellulose fibers through condensation reactions. Consequently, the resulting composite fabric can maintain the integrity of the Ag@HM coating even after 90-min washing. The functionalized textiles exhibited rapid photo-antibacterial efficiency (achieving 99 % within 20 min under a 50-mW/cm² irradiation), accompanying with persistent antibacterial activity under dark conditions. Furthermore, the composite textiles demonstrated superior HCHO removal capacity (over 70 % at room temperature) and exceptional UV-blocking property (UVA transmittance <0.05 %). The developed synthesis and immobilization strategy of hollow catalysts onto textiles offers a promising alternative to engineer multifunctional decorative textiles for improving indoor living quality.