title: Photocatalytic formulations for protein fibers: experimental analysis of the effect of preparation on compatibility and photocatalytic activities.
abstract: In this article, we report an optimization study of a photocatalytic self-cleaning sol-gel formulation. In particular we studied the effect of formulation preparation time on the formation of anatase titanium dioxide sol and its compatibility to protein keratin-type wool fibers. The sols were formed by a low temperature sol-gel process. The nucleated anatase was characterized by UV-vis transmission, particle size distribution, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The compatibility between the formulations and wool fibers is evaluated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, UV transmission, and mechanical properties. The photocatalytic self-cleaning activity of coated fibers and its reproducibility are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Churchill, VIC 3842, Australia.
authors.forename: Wing Sze
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Walid A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Daoud
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002384:Catalysis; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007633:Keratins / Q000737:chemistry*; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014935:Wool / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D011506:Proteins; C009495:titanium dioxide; D007633:Keratins; D014025:Titanium; D008751:Methylene Blue