Robust fabrication of superhydrophobic and photocatalytic self-cleaning cotton textile based on TiO₂ and fluoroalkylsilane

A facile, mild and low-cost approach of the fabrication of self-cleaning cotton textile, which showed excellent superhydrophobic and photocatalytic properties, was proposed. The surface was firstly coated with pure anatase TiO₂ through a sol–gel method catalyzed by glacial acetic acid and then modified by (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl) triethoxysilane (F-17). The hydrophilic cotton textile turned superhydrophobic with a water contact angle of 160.0°. The wettability, surface morphology and chemical composition of pristine and modified textile were investigated, respectively. Meanwhile, the robustness of chemical solutions, laundering treatment and water pressure of the textile were all verified by exposing to different pH solutions, organic solvents, washing and immersing. Importantly, the textile surface showed outstanding self-cleaning performance toward solid pollutant, daily liquids, oil and even organic contaminant, attributing to the synergetic function of superhydrophobicity and photocatalysis of TiO₂ nanoparticles. Therefore, the self-cleaning textile is an expected material for daily and industrial applications in diverse conditions, even harsh environment.