Multifunctional PES fabrics modified with colloidal Ag and TiO 2 nanoparticles

This study is aimed to highlight the possibility of engineering the multifunctional textile nanocomposite material based on the polyester (PES) fabric modified with colloidal Ag and TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs). The effects of concentration of NPs as well as the order of Ag and TiO 2 NPs loading on antimicrobial, UV protective, and photocatalytic properties of PES fabrics were examined. The antimicrobial activity of differently modified PES fabrics was tested against Gram‐negative bacterium Escherichia coli , Gram‐positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus , and fungus Candida albicans . The concentration of Ag colloid and the order of Ag and TiO 2 NPs loading considerably affected the antimicrobial efficiency of PES fabrics. The fabrics provided maximum UV protection upon surface modification with Ag and TiO 2 NPs. Ag NPs enhanced Ag NPs enhanced the photodegradation activity of TiO 2 NPs and total photodegradation of methylene blue was achieved after 24 hr of UV illumination. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.