Novel functional finishing of wool fabric using reduced graphene oxide/zinc oxide nanocomposite

In this study, a new finishing technique is introduced through treatment of wool fabric with reduced graphene oxide/ZnO nanocomposite. Graphene oxide was coated on to wool fabric by dipping the fabric in graphene oxide solution and drying in an oven. The nanocomposite was synthesized on wool fabric in a single step by reduction of zinc acetate and graphene oxide with sodium hydroxide in the impregnation bath. The homogenous distribution of the reduced graphene oxide/zinc oxide nanocomposite on the fiber surface was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray mapping. X-ray diffraction patterns proved the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the treated wool fabric. Also, the defect analysis based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) established the composition of the nanocomposite. Other characteristics of treated fabrics such as antibacterial activity, photo-catalytic self-cleaning, electrical resistance, ultraviolet (UV) blocking activity and cytotoxicity were also assessed. The treated wool fabrics possess significant antibacterial activity and photo-catalytic self-cleaning property by degradation of methylene blue under sunlight irradiation. Moreover, this process has no negative effect on cytotoxicity of the treated fabric even reduces electrical resistance and improves UV blocking activity.