Zinc oxide nano particles treated polyester fabric in calcium hydroxide media

In this research, polyester fabrics were treated by calcium hydroxide alkaline solutions in the presence of ZnO nano particles. The fabrics were treated at different concentrations of ZnO nano colloidal solutions (1,2, 5 and 10% owf). The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and FTIR/ATR spectroscopy were used for investigation of surface morphology and chemical structure of polyester fabrics. The treated polyester fabrics were dyed with methylene blue and were exposed to sunlight to determine self-cleaning effect. The reflectance values of the dyed fabrics were measured by spectrophotometer (D65/10°). The atomic absorption spectroscopy was carried out to determine the Zn ions content on polyester fabrics. Wetting time and bending length were obtained according to the standard test methods. Antimicrobial properties of the treated fabrics were tested with two kinds of bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aurous) according to AATCC 100 standard test method. The results showed that the absorption of ZnO nanoparticles on pretreated polyester fabrics was higher than that on the samples treated in alakine solutions containing ZnO nano particles.