Multifunctional photoactive cotton fabric coated with Ag-AgI/TiO2 nanocomposite for environmental and biological applications under sunlight

Developing multifunctional cellulose-based materials with photoactive properties, suitable for a wide range of environmental and biological applications under sunlight, is of paramount importance. In this study, we describe the synthesis of an Ag-AgI/TiO2 nanocomposite on cotton fabric (CF) using a moderate hydrothermal method to create a TiO2 layer that effectively coats the CF. The subsequent photoreduction via the impregnation method yields evenly distributed Ag-AgI nanoparticles (NPs) on the TiO2 layer. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterizations unequivocally confirm the presence of anatase TiO2 and Ag-AgI nanoparticles as the principal constituents of the photoactive textile. Our prepared photoactive textile exhibits exceptional performance in the photocatalytic degradation of aniline pollutants, achieving an impressive 97% removal rate under simulated sunlight irradiation for 6 h. Moreover, the textile can be easily reused following a simple washing process. When exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), it demonstrates complete ethanol decomposition with a mineralization rate of 79% after 4 h of illumination. Additionally, our composite showcases potent antibacterial properties by effectively inactivating pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, highlighting its versatility as a photocatalyst for a wide range of environmental and biological applications. The significant improvement in photocatalytic properties can be primarily attributed to the synergistic effect between TiO2 and Ag-AgI a pronounced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Ag-AgI NPs, increased visible light absorption, and suppressed charge carriers recombination. Moreover, our photoactive textile demonstrates exceptional durability and augmented mechanical strength, ensuring long-term functionality.The elaborated multifunctional Ag-AgI/TiO2/CF photoactive textile offers substantial potential for sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges in various applications.