Producing multifunctional wool fabrics using nano zinc oxide in presence of natural dye henna

Abstract

Colored wool fabric with special functions, including self-cleaning, anti-bacterial, and ultraviolet (UV) blocking, has been prepared by applying nano ZnO as a photocatalyst and henna as both a natural dye for coloration and an agent capable of modifying the ZnO nanoparticles. Natural dye henna has been used as photo sensitizer to fabricate zinc oxide nanoparticles. Coloration of wool fabrics and surface modification of fabric are performed by adding modified zinc oxide nanoparticles in exhaustion bath. The self-cleaning property of treated wool fabrics is evaluated through discoloring methylene blue dye under sunlight irradiation. The antibacterial activities of the samples against two common pathogenic bacteria, namely <em>Escherichia coli</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus </em>have also been assessed. The results indicate that adding natural dye henna to zinc oxide leads to better self-cleaning properties, even the photocatalytic activity of ZnO has no negative effect on fabric color. Moreover, this process imparts proper antibacterial properties and UV-blocking activity to wool fabrics.