Effect of the tio2 concentration on the photocatalytic self-cleaning properties of polyethylene terephthalate fibers

Abstract

In this article self-cleaning properties of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) fibers is investigated as a function of TiO2 particle content added during fiber spinning. After fibers were spun they were woven and stained with black tea, coffee, cherry juice, and ketchup. The sample fabrics were then exposed to different light sources such as daylight and solar simulator to monitor the stain removal over time. Furthermore the mechanical properties of the fibers with various amounts of TiO2 content were compared. Morphologies of the fibers were investigated with both optical and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Using the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) the crystallization behavior of the samples was compared. In the range of studied concentrations of TiO2 it is observed that self-cleaning properties can be achieved without significantly sacrificing from the mechanical properties of the fibers.