Nanocomposite polyester fabric based on graphene/titanium dioxide for conducting and UV protection functionality

An efficient process for fabrication of electroconductive, antistatic, ultraviolet rays protective polyester fabric using a graphene/titanium dioxide (graphene/TiO2) nanocomposite is prepared. Polyester fabric was treated with graphene oxide (GO) using a simple exhaust method. The GO-treated polyester fabric was then immersed in TiCl3 aqueous solution which acted as reducing agent to yield a fabric coated with graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite. The treated fabric was characterised by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface resistivity, volume resistivity, static charge decay time and ultraviolet protection factor of treated fabric were also assessed. The electrical conductivity of the graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite-coated fabrics was improved significantly by the presence of graphene on the surface of polyester fabrics. Nanocomposite fabric also showed excellent mechanical properties and hydrophobicity. It also exhibited protection from UV radiations as shown by higher UPF due to the presence of titanium on the fabric surface.