Durable multifunctional cotton textiles through conformal ZnO nanocoatings by atomic layer deposition

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO enables conformal nanoscale coating on cotton textiles, imparting multifunctional properties for high-performance and smart fabric applications. However, the influence of ALD processing temperature on coating characteristics, wash durability, and functional performance has not been systematically investigated. In this study, ZnO nanocoatings were deposited on cotton fabrics at three different temperatures (room temperature, 50 °C, and 120 °C), and the ZnO growth, textile properties, and multifunctional performances were evaluated accordingly. The ALD-coated cotton exhibited approximately 11-fold improvement in photocatalytic self-cleaning efficiency, achieving almost complete degradation of dye molecules within 15 h, and a 10-fold enhancement in UV-blocking performance, transmitting less than 2.5% of incident UV radiation. The ALD-coated cotton also showed antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria while retaining excellent biocompatibility with >96% mammalian cell viability. The ZnO-coated cotton exhibited improved thermoregulatory behavior compared with pristine cotton. Importantly, the multifunctional properties of ZnO-coated cotton were retained after repeated laundering cycles without compromising the intrinsic textile characteristics of the cotton fabric. These results demonstrate the potential of ALD as a low-temperature and wastewater-free sustainable textile finishing technology for the development of durable multifunctional textiles for healthcare, protective, wellness, and smart wearable applications.