Structure and Properties of Cotton Fibers Modified with Titanium Sulfate and Urea under Hydrothermal Conditions

Cotton fibers were treated with titanium sulfate, urea and hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide by low temperature hydrothermal method. The surface morphology, chemical structure, thermal stability and optical properties of cotton fibers before and after treatments were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric (TG) and diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS). The properties of tensile, friction and self–cleaning capability to discolor strawberry juice stain were also measured. The results showed that titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles in anatase phase with an average particle size of 50 nm were grafted on the surfaces of cotton fibers. The crystallites of TiO₂ were less than 10 nm in size. In comparison with the original cotton fibers, the thermal properties of TiO₂ coated cotton fibers had almost no change. The protection against ultraviolet radiation was obtained. However, the tensile properties decreased to some extent. The coefficients of static and kinetic friction increased because of the introduction of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The strawberry juice stained on cotton fibers could be discolored exposure to UV radiation.