Advanced Visible-Light-Driven Self-Cleaning Cotton by Au/TiO₂/SiO₂ Photocatalysts

A facile process to prepare porous Au/TiO₂/SiO₂ nanocrystallites was presented. The novel nanocrystallites synthesized were characterized by FESEM, HRTEM, XRD, UV-blocking, and visible light self-cleaning properties. The ultraviolet protection factor of the sample results before and after 30 wash fastness tests have revealed that the treated samples are rateable according to the Australia/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4399: 1996. The durable visible light self-cleaning properties were initially conducted and achieved after 20 washes with 20 h simulated visible light irradiation. The Au/TiO₂/SiO₂ nanocomposites have shown more significant visible light self-cleaning performance than that of TiO₂ treated only and represent a remarkable step forward in visible-light-driven self-cleaning treatment for flexible materials with a high potential for commercialization.