Titanium dioxide and fluoropolymer-based coating for smart fabrics with antimicrobial and water-repellent properties.

In the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, protective clothing is required for medical staff at risk of infection. This study proposes functional smart fabrics with antimicrobial and water-repellent properties, using titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and fluoropolymer-based precursors as coating materials. Experimental results indicated a uniform distribution of TiO 2 particles with an average size below 200 nm throughout the fabric. A zone of inhibition test revealed that the fabric inhibited bacterial growth, specifically of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae , before and after 10 wash cycles of the fabric. In wetting angle measurements, the contact angles of water droplets on the fabric ranged from 120° to 139°. A water repellency test confirmed that the coated fabrics retained their water-repellent property after 10 wash cycles.