Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nano Zinc Oxide Used to Create Self-Cleaning Surfaces by Polymeric, Woolen Fibers

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Abstract:
Iranian researchers at the University of Gilan succeeded in the synthesis of new nanoparticles on polymeric and woolen fibers to create self-cleaning surfaces.

Nano Zinc Oxide Used to Create Self-Cleaning Surfaces by Polymeric, Woolen Fibers

Tehran, Iran | Posted on September 14th, 2011

"In this research, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized through sol-gel method on polyacrylonitrile and woollen fibers in order to investigate their photocatalytic self-cleaning properties," Dr. Hadi Fallah Moa'afi the Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council.

Fallah Moa'afi explained about the procedure of the research, and added, "Zinc acetate-2-water was used in the production of nano-sol as the precursor for the synthesis of ZnO. The simple and effective method of sol-gel was used in this research to synthesize the nanoparticles on the fibers at low temperature."

Photocatalytic self-cleaning ability of the samples and their performance were studied by investigating the photo-degradation of methylene blue and eosin Y pigments in solid phase through reflectance spectroscopy."

"XRD pattern shows that the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles crystallized quite well on the fibers surface," he said about the results of the experiment. "And it resulted in photocatalytic self-cleaning of the samples."

"Electron microscopic images show that a coating of ZnO has formed over the woolen fibers or an accumulation of ZnO nanoparticles has covered the surface of polyacrylonitrile fibers. It was also observed that they were about 10-15 nm in size. The changes in DRS spectrum of the adsorbed pigments of methylene blue and eosin Y on the fibers containing ZnO before and after the ultraviolet-visible radiation confirm their photocatalytic degradation."

Dr Fallah Moa'afi concluded, "The precursor used in this research for the synthesis of ZnO is more cost-effective than those needed for the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles."

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