Abstract:

Oriented one-dimensional ZnO nanorod arrays were prepared on PET fabrics via a simple two-step process. The ZnO nanocrystals were first synthesized by sol-gel method and coated onto PET substrates by dip-pad-cure process as nucleation seeds, followed by hydrothermal ZnO growth in aqueous solution of zinc nitrate hexahydrate and hexamethylenetetramine. FE-SEM and TEM images showed the typical ZnO nanorods were 40-50 nm in diameter and 300-600 nm in length. X-ray diffraction result indicated the as-prepared nanorods were of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure and its growth direction is along the c-axis. Compared with untreated PET fabrics, the UPF of the PET fabrics with ZnO nanorods increased from 88.92 to 480.52, indicating excellent protection against ultraviolet radiation.