Study on synthesis of ZnO nanorods and its UV-blocking properties on cotton fabrics coated with the ZnO quantum dot

Crystalline ZnO quantum dots have been synthesized by hydrolysis of zinc acetate dihydrate with lithium hydroxide in ethanolic solution. The effects of different synthesis parameters on the structure and optical properties of ZnO QDs were investigated in detail. The UV–Vis optical spectra showed that the particle size is highly dependent on the precursor concentration and temperature, while the luminescence properties of as-prepared ZnO QDs depend on the both size and surface properties of particles. UV-blocking cotton fabrics were prepared by coated with ZnO nanorods. The preparation process was conducted in mild conditions, which involved the dip-coating ZnO QDs as crystal seeds, the dissolution–recrystallization of ZnO nanorods, and the hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods. The ZnO nanorods covered the cotton fibers uniformly and densely. The treated cotton textile exhibited an excellent UV-blocking property with an ultrahigh UPF value of 118.12.