Patterned durable superhydrophobic and UV protective cotton fabric prepared through inkjet printing of Zn-based MOFs and long alkyl chain siloxane.

In order to solve the problems of high energy consumption, high raw material consumption and poor air permeability of fabrics in the dip-baking method, a simple low-liquid inkjet printing method was used to prepare superhydrophobic cotton fabrics. Inkjet printing technology enables precise control over the printing position and droplet amount, allowing for the creation of superhydrophobic patterns on the fabric surface. ZIF-8 precursor solution and long alkyl chain siloxane were formulated as suitable inks and printed on the surface of the fabric, forming a rough interface with low surface energy. The surface micromorphology and chemical structure of the fabric samples were characterized in detail. The prepared ZIF-HDTMS-cotton fabric exhibited superhydrophobic property with a high water contact angle of 158° and self-cleaning property against liquid and solid contaminants. Importantly, after undergoing a variety of harsh damage tests, the modified fabric still exhibited good superhydrophobicity, indicating its favorable chemical stability and mechanical durability. Compared to raw cotton fabric, the treated fabric exhibited an air permeability rate of 311.6 L/m/s, proving its excellent breathability. Due to the high absorption capacity of ZIF-8 to ultraviolet rays, the prepared cotton fabric has obtained a certain ultraviolet protection effect. In addition, through infrared camera observation, it is found that the ZIF-HDTMS-cotton fabric also has a good anti-permeation effect on hot water, which can play a role in preventing scalding. These findings pave the way for the development of patterned multifunctional textiles through precise inkjet printing technology.