Comparative Evaluation of Single and Hybrid Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for Multifunctional Hemp Textiles with Enhanced UV Protection and Self-Cleaning Performance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59796/jcst.V16N4.2026.211Keywords:
hemp, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, silicon dioxide nanoparticles, nanocomposite finishing, photocatalysis, wettability, UV protection, self-cleaningAbstract
This study systematically investigated and compared the efficacy of single and hybrid metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs), including TiO2, ZnO, and SiO2, and their combinations, in imparting multifunctional properties to hemp fabrics. Despite increasing interest in multifunctional textile finishing, systematic comparative studies on single and hybrid metal oxide NP systems applied to hemp fabrics remain limited. For scalability and industrial applicability, commercial NPs were employed and applied to hemp textiles using a conventional pad-dry-cure method to evaluate wettability, UV protection, and photocatalytic self-cleaning performance. A commercial styrene–acrylic copolymer (SAC) emulsion was employed as a binder to facilitate the incorporation and adhesion of NPs onto the hemp fabric. XRD analysis confirmed the anatase phase of TiO2, wurtzite structure of ZnO, and the amorphous nature of SiO2, with crystallite sizes of 19.9, 36.2, and 22.4 nm, respectively. SEM–EDS examinations verified successful NP deposition and improved dispersion in hybrid and ternary systems. Contact angle measurements revealed a progressive increase in surface hydrophobicity from single to hybrid systems, with the ternary TiO2-ZnO-SiO2 nanocomposites exhibiting the highest water repellency due to hierarchical micro-nano surface structuring. UV protection was significantly enhanced after NP incorporation. The pristine hemp fabric exhibited moderate protection (UPF≈14), while the ternary nanocomposites achieved excellent protection (UPF 50++) with approximately 98-99% UV blocking, attributed to synergistic UV absorption and scattering effects. Assessment of photocatalytic self-cleaning based on methylene blue (MB) degradation showed superior performance for hemp finished with semiconductor NPs. The ternary nanocomposites exhibited the highest degradation efficiency (≈91%), followed by TiO2-ZnO (≈89%), attributable to enhanced charge separation, reduced electron-hole recombination, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Overall, hybrid and ternary nanocomposite systems surpassed single oxides, highlighting the essential role of SiO2 as a dispersion-supporting component. This work presents a practical and scalable approach for developing high-performance, multifunctional hemp textiles suitable for protective, healthcare, and sustainable apparel applications.
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