A review of plant-mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles for self-cleaning textiles

Abstract

Purpose

The textile industry is evolving toward nanotechnology, which provides materials with self-cleaning properties. This paper aims to provide a thorough explanation of the green synthesis and mechanism of ZnO nanoparticles, with prospective applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in self-cleaning textiles.

Design/methodology/approach

This review introduces a green mechanism for the synthesis of ZnO NPs using plant extracts, their self-cleaning properties and the mechanisms of physical, chemical and biological self-cleaning actions for textile applications.

Findings

ZnO NPs are among the several nanoparticles that are beneficial for self-cleaning textiles because of their exceptional physical and chemical properties, although review publications addressing the use of ZnO NPs in textiles for self-cleaning are uncommon. These results indicate that the plant-synthesized ZnO NPs display excellent biological, physical and chemical self-cleaning properties, the mechanism of which involves photocatalysis, surface roughness and interactions between ZnO NPs and bacterial surfaces.

Originality/value

Nanoformulations of plant-synthesized ZnO have been reviewed to achieve promising self-cleaning textile properties and have not been reviewed earlier.

Citation

Dejene, B.K. and Geletaw, T.M. (2024), "A review of plant-mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles for self-cleaning textiles", Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 879-892. https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-12-2022-0154