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The purpose of this paper is to obtain ZnO‐SiO₂ oxide composites of low bulk density, high homogeneity and consisting of the smallest possible particles. The optimum parameters of precipitation of ZnO‐SiO₂ oxide composites impregnated with natural latex rubber were established. The formation and impregnation the ZnO‐SiO₂ oxide composites were made to occur simultaneously.

The influence of non‐ionic surfactants added during the precipitation process on the physico‐chemical properties of the oxide systems obtained was investigated. The products were characterised by determination of bulk density, absorption capacities of water and paraffin oil, particle size distribution (applying NIBS and laser diffraction methods), as well as SEM observations of surface morphology and microstructure. Moreover, the colorimetric characteristics of the oxide composites obtained and sedimentation profiles in water were analysed. Energo‐dispersive microanalysis of the products enabled determination of the content of ZnO and SiO₂. The surface area (BET) and the size and volume of pores were also estimated.

Modification of the oxide composites with nonylphenylpolyoxyethyleneglycol ethers was found to improve the basic physico‐chemical parameters of the ZnO‐SiO₂ hybrid systems and to change the character of its surface to become more hydrophobic. The conditions in which samples with the best properties were obtained were concluded to be optimum.

Only the selected non‐ionic surfactants were applied as modifying agents of ZnO‐SiO₂.

There is a possible application of ZnO‐SiO₂ oxide composites as activators of rubber compounds and barrier materials in textiles.

The proposed method of ZnO‐SiO₂ oxide composite synthesis in the process of precipitation with simultaneous modification with non‐ionic surfactants provides products with desirable dispersive‐morphological parameters and a hydrophobic surface character.

The purpose of this paper is to report on a method of synthesis of TiO₂‐SiO₂ oxide composites characterised by spherically shaped particles with sizes in the micrometric ranges, which can be applied as a new generation of textile/TiO₂‐SiO₂ composites with barrier properties against UV radiation. Synthesis and characterisation of TiO2‐SiO2 oxide composites with a high degree of dispersion were performed, and their influence on the barrier properties of textile fabrics was investigated.

The precipitation was performed with the use of solutions of titanium sulphate and sodium silicate as the precipitating agent, which are cheap alternatives to organic precursors of Ti and Si. The reaction was conducted in an emulsion system, where cyclohexane was used as the organic phase and non‐ionic surfactants NP3 and NP6 as emulsifiers were applied.

The direction of substrate supply, concentration of the reagents and their ratio and other conditions of precipitation process were found to significantly affect the physicochemical parameters of the pigments obtained. A possibility is provided of manufacturing a new generation of textile/TiO2‐SiO2 composites with barrier properties against UV radiation.

Titanium sulphate, sodium silicate, cyclohexane as the organic phase, and non‐ionic surfactants NP3 and NP6 as emulsifiers, were used.

Synthesis of a new generation of textile/TiO2‐SiO2 composites with barrier properties against UV radiation has been performed. Textile fabrics modified with hybrid composites demonstrated high absorption of UV radiation over the full wavelength range.

Determination of optimum conditions of TiO2‐SiO2 oxide composites precipitation to obtain products with desired physicochemical, dispersive and structural properties. Development of nano‐structural textile composites with barrier properties, protecting against UV radiation.

Among various metal oxide nano particles, MgO NPs and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in particular are gaining increasing attention due to their multifunctional characteristics, low cost and compatibility with textile materials. Each type of nanoparticle excels over others in certain properties. As such, it is often crucial to carry out comparative studies of NPs to identify the one showing higher efficiency/output for particular applications of textile products.

In the investigation reported in this paper, ZnO NPs and MgO NPs were synthesised via sol-gel technique and characterised. For comparative analysis, the synthesised NPs were evaluated for multiple properties using standard procedures before and after being applied on cotton fabrics by a dip-pad-dry-cure method.

XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO and MgO NPs. Homogeneous formation of desired NPs and their dense and uniform deposition on the cotton fibre surface were observed using SEM. ZnO NPs and MgO NPs coatings on cotton were observed to significantly enhance self-cleaning/stain removal properties achieving Grade 5 and Grade 4 categories, respectively. In terms of ultraviolet (UV) protection, ZnO or MgO NP coated fabrics showed UPF values of greater than 50, i.e. excellent in blocking UV rays. MgO NPs exhibited 20% cleaning efficiency in treating reactive dye wastewater against ZnO NPs which were 4% efficient in the same treatment, so MgO was more suitable for such type of treatments at low cost. Both NPs were able to impart multifunctionality to cotton fabrics as per requirement of the end products. However, ZnO NPs were better for stain removal from the fabrics while MgO NPs were appropriate for UV blocking.

It was therefore clear that multifunctional textile products could be developed by employing a single type of cost effective and efficient nano particles.