ZnO-Functionalized Cotton Textiles with Enhanced Antibacterial Activity, Moisture Management, and Wear Comfort

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-28-2026

Abstract

Nowadays, cotton textiles with metal oxide nanoparticle functionality exhibit promising antibacterial applications; although many aspects have been tested, fabric comfort and moisture-related performance have not been sufficiently explored. In this study, cotton (twill) fabric has been functionalized by synthesizing ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) via a controlled exhaustion process followed by thermal fixation. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), whereas scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proves the surface morphology. Antibacterial evaluation shows effective activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with a large inhibition zone (35-36 mm) and a ∼99% reduction in bacterial counts compared to uncoated cotton. The results of the moisture management test (MMT) indicate that the spreading and one-way transport capacities of liquid are measurable and fluctuate by 20-30% compared to the standard, suggesting a change in surface wettability after ZnO deposition. Fabric Touch Tester (FTT) analysis showed significant improvements in bending rigidity, surface friction, roughness, compression, and thermal comfort, with comfort parameters increasing by 10-25% when using the nanocoating. These results highlight the multifunctional benefits of ZnO functionalization for advanced hygienic textiles.

Publication Title

ACS omega

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS