Photocatalytic self-cleaning keratins: A feasibility study.
Anatase nanocrystals were successfully synthesized and deposited on protein keratin-type wool fibers with good compatibility and significant photocatalytic self-cleaning activity using the sol-gel process. Due to the low chemical resistance and liability to photo-degradation of protein materials, the effect of the acid catalyst used in the sol synthesis was studied. The sols were prepared using oxidizing and non-oxidizing catalysts, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, respectively, for the hydrolysis and condensation reactions of the titanium dioxide precursor. The size distribution and crystallinity of the sols were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and photon correlation spectroscopy. The compatibility of sol formulations and wool is thoroughly compared and discussed by analyzing fibers photo-degradation, surface morphology and self-cleaning properties including stain degradation and colorant decomposition. The UV absorption and mechanical properties of wool fibers before and after coating are also discussed.
Tung
Wing Sze
WS
School of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Monash University, Churchill, VIC. 3842, Australia.
Daoud
Walid A
WA
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007633:Keratins / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D044367:Phase Transition; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C009495:titanium dioxide; D007633:Keratins; D014025:Titanium; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D010100:Oxygen