Study on the preparation and performance of functional cotton fabrics based on zeolite-like imidazole organic frameworks (ZIFs)

In this article, the ZIF-8 series of functional cotton fabrics is prepared using an in-situ growth method. The properties of these fabrics, including photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB), antibacterial activity, heavy metal adsorption, and UV resistance, are explored. The results indicate that the Ag/ZIF-8 functional cotton fabric can effectively degrade MB under visible light, achieving a degradation efficiency of 93.4% after 170 minutes, and maintaining a degradation efficiency of 90.2% after three cycles, demonstrating commendable cycling stability. Antibacterial tests reveal that the Ag/ZIF-8 functional cotton fabric exhibits an antibacterial rate of over 90% against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, indicating strong antibacterial performance. The UV resistance test results show that the UPF value is significantly greater than 50, with T (UVA) = 0.05%, indicating excellent UV resistance. Additionally, Ag/ZIF-8 functional cotton fabric is highly effective for Pb2+ adsorption, achieving a removal rate of 99.5% within 7 minutes, demonstrating outstanding adsorption performance. Compared to ZIF-8 functional cotton fabrics, the incorporation of Ag accelerates the flow of photogenerated charge carriers, inhibits electron-hole pair recombination, and enhances photocatalytic degradation efficiency, while also exhibiting good cycling stability. This research represents a significant advancement in textile materials and holds valuable implications for future applications.