Abstract: Cotton fabrics were treated with nano titanium dioxide and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using succinic acid as a
crosslinking agent. The photocatalytic self-cleaning properties of the samples were assessed by analyzing the degradation of Direct Green 6 under
UV and sunlight. The UV absorption, abrasion resistance and tensile strength of the treated fabric were measured. It was found that coating the
cotton fabrics with both MWCNTs and nano titanium dioxide effectively improves the photodegradation efficiency of Direct Green 6 under both
UV and sunlight. The abrasion resistance and UV blocking capability are improved, and tensile strength decreases a little after the coating. The
increased photodegradation of Direct Green 6 can be ascribed to enhanced adsorption, a reduced electron-hole pair recombination rate and an
extended light absorption wavelength as a result of the joint action of nano titanium dioxide and MWCNTs.
Key Words: MWCNTs; Nano titanium dioxide; Cotton; Self-cleaning; Sunlight