Photocatalytic Coatings for Textile Applications
Summary
Photocatalytic coatings impart textiles with self-cleaning, antimicrobial and pollutant-degrading functions by harnessing light to drive oxidation and reduction reactions at the fibre surface. Central to these coatings is titanium dioxide in its anatase form, valued for strong photoactivity, chemical stability and low toxicity. Upon illumination, electron–hole pairs generate reactive oxygen species that decompose organic stains, bacteria and volatile compounds. Integration onto textiles typically employs sol–gel, dip-pad-dry-cure or plasma-assisted methods to affix nanoparticles firmly while preserving fabric handle and breathability. Recent innovations focus on broadening the spectral response into visible light, enhancing charge separation through heterojunctions or dopants, and improving durability against washing and abrasion. These advances address global needs for low-energy maintenance, hygiene in healthcare and sustainable indoor air quality. Beyond cotton and polyester, emerging work explores functional finishes on technical fibres for protective wear and filtration media. Despite progress, key challenges remain in balancing photocatalytic efficiency with textile performance, scaling up under environmentally benign conditions and ensuring regulatory compliance for consumer safety.
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Photocatalytic Coatings for Textile Applications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in photocatalytic coatings for textile applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Photocatalysis: A process in which light absorption by a semiconductor generates reactive species that drive chemical transformations.
Sol–gel process: A wet-chemical technique for producing metal oxide nanoparticles and films by hydrolysis and condensation of precursors.
Heterojunction: An interface between two semiconductor materials engineered to improve charge separation efficiency.
Reduced graphene oxide (rGO): A form of graphene oxide chemically treated to restore conductivity and provide support for photocatalysts.
Anatase: A crystalline polymorph of titanium dioxide noted for its superior photocatalytic activity under UV or visible light.
References
- Synthesis of a new amino/phosphate-modified TiO2/rGO hybrid nanocomposite for sustainable textile functionalization. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (2025).
- Recent advances in TiO2-functionalized textile surfaces. Surfaces and Interfaces (2021).
- Producing Multifunctional Cotton Fabrics Using Nano CeO2 Doped with Nano TiO2 and ZnO. Autex Research Journal (2020).
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