Preparation and properties of nano-MgO/HDTMS super hydrophobic multifunctional cotton

First, nano-sized magnesium oxide (MgO) particles were prepared with magnesium nitrate hexahydrate as raw material and plant extract Angelica dahurica as a protective agent and dispersant. Then, MgO nano particles (MgO NPs) were loaded on the cotton fabric surface by dipping method. Finally, using hexadecyl trimethoxysilane (HDTMS) as a modifier and ammonia as a catalyst, the cotton fabric was hydrophobically modified to prepare a super hydrophobic multifunctional cotton fabric. FTIR indicated that long carbon chain silane was successfully introduced onto cotton fabric. SEM and XRD analysis showed that the micro-nano rough structure was formed on the MgO/HDTMS/cotton fabric surface, and its crystal structure was unchanged. The water contact angle of cotton fabric modified by MgO/HDTMS reached 153°, which made it super hydrophobic. Moreover, MgO/HDTMS/cotton fabric has excellent antibacterial properties with the antibacterial rates against S. aureus and E. coli of 95.50% and 95.30%, respectively. After 10 times of cyclic washing, both the water contact angle and the antibacterial rate for S. aureus and E. coli of the fabric showed a slight decrease, which indicated that it has good washing durability.