Cotton functionalized with nanostructured TiO-Ag-AgBr layer for solar photocatalytic degradation of dyes and toxic organophosphates.

The functionalization of cotton fabric with photoactive TiO-Ag-AgBr nanostructured layer has been successfully developed using a low temperature non-aqueous sol-gel route and aqueous suspension of AgBr. Evidence for the growth of TiO layer and the immobilization of AgBr nanoparticles have been confirmed by Raman, XRD and XPS. GSDR analysis revealed a strong absorption in the visible region brought by surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag nanocrystals generated at the surface of AgBr. The XPS evidenced the presence of Ag, Ag and bromine, suggesting that Ag formed a shell around the deposited AgBr. The immobilized TiO-Ag-AgBr heterostructured layer imparts a strong photocatalytic activity under visible light for the degradation of dyes in aqueous solution as well as of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a chemical warfare agent simulant. These new catalytically active functionalized fabrics, with self-detoxification properties, have great potential for application in chemical protective clothes and might offer new opportunities for the design of functional materials for toxic chemical protection.