Title: Nano zinc oxide for UV protection of textiles

Authors: Lu Sun, John A. Rippon, Peter G. Cookson, Xungai Wang, Ken King, Olga Koulaeva, Reno Beltrame

Addresses: Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia. ' Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia. ' Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia. ' Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia. ' Micronisers Pty Ltd., 6-8 England Street, Dandenong, Victoria 3175, Australia. ' Micronisers Pty Ltd., 6-8 England Street, Dandenong, Victoria 3175, Australia. ' Beltrame Consultants, 17 Caroline Crescent, Hurstbridge, Victoria 3099, Australia

Abstract: This paper describes the effect on the fading of dyed polyester fabrics in artificial sunlight, when the Ultra Violet (UV) component of the radiation was blocked by coating the fabric with zinc oxide nanoparticles, dispersed in an acrylic polymer. Zinc oxide is photoactive and generates superoxide and hydroxyl radicals (Reactive Oxygen Species; ROS) when irradiated with UV in the presence of oxygen and water. The results for the four dyes studied show that different dye chromophores interact differently with ROS. Selection of dyes with anti oxidant properties or addition of other anti oxidants may reduce the adverse effects of ROS.

Keywords: zinc oxide nanoparticles; acrylic polymers; light fastness; disperse dyes; polyester reactive oxygen species; chromophores; antioxidants; UV protection; ultraviolet; textiles; dyed polyester fabrics; artificial sunlight; fabric fading; nanotechnology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2008.020361

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2008 Vol.7 No.2/3, pp.224 - 235

Published online: 18 Sep 2008 *

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