Superhydrophobic and ultraviolet protective nylon fabrics by modified nano silica coating

Superhydrophobic and UV protective textiles are of growing interest from the last few decades. In this study, silica nanoparticles (SiO2) were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The synthesized silica nanoparticles were applied on nylon knitted fabric by pad-dry-cure technique. The silica nanoparticles coating on fabric was modified by in situ deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) followed by hydrophobic modification using sodium stearate (SS). The fabrics were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The hydrophobic properties of the fabric were assessed by water contact angle measurement and ultraviolet protection properties of fabric were assessed by Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 4399:1996). Modified fabric showed superhydrophobicity with water contact angle of 151°. The fabric also showed excellent ultraviolet protection with ultraviolet protection factor of 279.68. The fabric exhibited retention of hydrophobic and UV protection properties up to 10 washing cycles.