Exploring the potentials of delafossite-coated cotton textiles: photocatalytic self-cleaning, UV-blocking, antimicrobial activity, and hydrophobicity

Authors

Shahria Ahmed, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Sachin Chopra, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Swati Mohan, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Ahmed Touhami, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Md. Wasikur Rahman, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Mohammed Jasim Uddin, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-20-2025

Abstract

Delafossite materials demonstrate multifunctional applications due to their excellent catalytic properties, which vary depending on their morphology, particle size, and synthetic method. Herein, a few novel applications of the delafossites are reported, which can be implemented in commercial, medical, and domestic settings. In the present work, we are presenting two different delafossites, CuGaO2 and CuFeO2 nanoparticles, and their composite with cotton fiber. Multifunctional cotton fabric is prepared by depositing a uniform coating layer of CuGaO2 and CuFeO2 and exhibits excellent photocatalytic self-cleaning, UV blocking, antimicrobial activity, and hydrophobicity. CuGaO2 and CuFeO2 nanoparticle concentrations of 1 mM and 2 mM were deposited over the cotton fabric using citric acid as a binder by a simple sonication method. Surface analysis, bindings, stability, stain resistance, and UV blocking characteristics of the functionalized cotton fabric are performed by SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Both CuGaO2-cotton and CuFeO2-cotton exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity, which is evident from the UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis after mixing with methylene blue dye and subsequent exposure to simulated solar light. In addition, CuGaO2-cotton and CuFeO2-cotton block most of the harmful UV radiation, 95–97.5% (approx.) in the case of CuGaO2 and 90% (approx.) in the case of CuFeO2. The modified cotton fabrics present good antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, which is confirmed by antimicrobial tests with Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli bacteria. The newly fabricated cotton-delafossite composite, with all its promising applications, can be viewed as a valuable, sustainable contribution of materials science to humanity.

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Recommended Citation

Ahmed, Shahria, Sachin Chopra, Swati Mohan, Ahmed Touhami, Md Wasikur Rahman, and M. Jasim Uddin. "Exploring the potentials of delafossite-coated cotton textiles: photocatalytic self-cleaning, UV-blocking, antimicrobial activity, and hydrophobicity." Research on Chemical Intermediates (2025): 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-025-05554-z

Publication Title

Research on Chemical Intermediates

DOI

10.1007/s11164-025-05554-z