Development of functional hybrid cotton fabrics by coating with SiO2 and ZrO2/SiO2 composites

The silica (SiO₂) sol and hybrid zirconia (ZrO₂)/SiO₂ sol were used to coat cotton fabrics using the pad-dry-cure method to improve their physical and functional properties. The physical properties of coated and uncoated fabrics, such as tensile strength, tear strength, crease recovery angle, air permeability and whiteness index, were tested as per the standard test methods. The wash durability of the coating on the fabric was also analysed after five and 10 wash cycles. The observed results show that the ZrO₂/SiO₂-coated fabric has better physical properties than SiO₂-coated and uncoated fabrics. In addition, an antibacterial activity test confirms that the SiO₂-coated fabric possesses higher antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus than the ZrO₂/SiO₂-coated fabrics.