In-Situ ZnO Nanoparticles on Lyocell Fabric for Antibacterial and UV Protection
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 15, No 3 (September 2026) pp. 1-10
Abstract
Lyocell is a sustainable regenerated cellulose fiber that has excellent comfort characteristics but lacks antibacterial and UV protection properties. The present study was performed to develop multifunctional lyocell fabrics through in situ synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles to improve antibacterial and UV-protective performance. Citric acid was used to pre-treat the lyocell fabric, and the in-situ synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles was performed by using the zinc acetate precursor concentrations of 0.25 M (L1) and 0.5 M (L2). The properties of treated fabrics were analysed using FTIR, FESEM-EDS, and XRD, while the functional performance was assessed by antibacterial activity, ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), and air permeability. The characterization analysis results confirmed successful synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, which were uniformly deposited on the lyocell surface without destroying the cellulose structure. By increasing the concentration of the precursor, zinc content rose from 7.32 wt % (L1) to 20.34 wt % (L2), which enhanced the deposition of ZnO. Similarly, the L2 fabric exhibited a better antibacterial effect, with inhibition zones of 6.29 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and 6.69 mm for Escherichia coli, whereas the L1 fabric showed about 4.13 mm and 4.22 mm, respectively. The UPF of the pristine lyocell was significantly improved to 18.2 (L1) and 26.9 (L2), while the air permeability was moderately reduced from 232 mm/s down to 176 mm/s, indicating a better performance without significantly sacrificing breathability. The results indicate that the in situ ZnO functionalization method is an efficient and eco-friendly process for obtaining multifunctional lyocell fabrics with improved antibacterial and UV protection. The developed materials have shown great potential for application in medical, protective, sportswear, and other advanced technical textile products. Washing durability, long-term stability, and large-scale industrial implementation should be the focus of future studies.
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Reference
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