Metal nanoparticles decorated PET/PET-TiO2 bi-component filaments by photocatalytic deposition

Abstract

Gold, silver, and platinum nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of TiO2 in the sheath part of bi-component filaments. The processes involved include the spinning process used to prepare polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/PET-TiO2 bi-component filaments and the photocatalytic deposition process of gold, silver and platinum nanoparticles. The core part and the sheath part consist of virgin PET and 4 wt.% of TiO2 compounded PET, respectively. The sheath: core ratio of the filament was 50:50. For the photo-deposition of metal nanoparticles, adsorption of the metal ions on the surface of the fabrics was performed by immersing them in AgNO3, HAuCl4, and H2PtCl6 aqueous solutions, with simultaneous addition of methanol as a sacrificial agent. Photo-deposition was then carried out under UV light with an irradiation time of 60 seconds. The structural and antibacterial properties of the bi-component filaments were characterized. The nano-sized noble metal particles in a polka dot form were observed around the surface of the TiO2 particles in sheath region of bi-component filaments after photocatalytic deposition. Ag, Au, and Pt metal photo-deposited fabrics showed excellent antimicrobial effect against the two types of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae under dark conditions. © The Author(s) 2012 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.