In situ synthesis and hydrothermal crystallization of nanoanatase TiO2–SiO2 coating on aramid fabric (HTiSiAF) for UV protection

TiO2 -SiO2 thin film was prepared by sol-gel method and coated on the aramid fabric to prepare functional textiles. The aramid fabric was dipped and withdrawn in TiO2 -SiO2 gel and hydrothermal crystallization at 80(°) C, then its UV protection functionality was evaluated. The crystalline phase and the surface morphology of TiO2 -SiO2 thin film were characterized using SEM, XRD, and AFM respectively. SEM showed hydrothermal crystallization led to a homogeneous dispersion of anatase nonocrystal in TiO2 -SiO2 film, and XRD suggested the mean particle size of the formed anatase TiO2 was less than 30 nm. AFM indicated that hydrothermal treatment enhanced the crystallization of TiO2 . UV protection analysis suggested that the hydrothermally treated coated textile had a better screening property in comparison with TiO2 -SiO2 gel and native aramid fabric.