Metal nanoparticle enhanced semiconductor film for functionalized textiles

Abstract

A method for forming a metallic nanoparticle and semiconductor coated surface, such as the surface of a fiber or other material is provided. The method can include the steps of coating at least one surface of a material, for example a textile material, with a semiconducting layer, and providing metallic nanoparticles on the semiconducting layer. The steps for coating a surface of a material with a semiconducting layer can include forming a titanium dioxide film on the surface of the textile or other material. The steps for depositing and/or providing metallic nanoparticles on the semiconducting layer can include immersing a surface having a semiconductor layer into a metallic nanoparticle precursor solution, drying the semiconductor layer, and exposing the semiconductor layer on the surface to UV radiation. The metallic nanoparticles can include gold and/or silver nanoparticles. Also disclosed are surface treated materials having a semiconductor layer thereon, wherein the semiconductor layer is treated to include metallic nanoparticles. The surface treated materials may comprise surfaces of a textile material, such as fibers. The surface treated materials are anti-microbial and resistant to peeling, as well as non-toxic to biological surfaces, such as skin. Treated fiber materials may be used in garments, masks, and other products that contact the skin, that are free of toxic/rash side effects.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a surface having a metallic nanoparticle semi-conductor layer comprising:
 providing a semi-conducting layer on the surface; and   treating said semi-conductor layer on the surface to provide metallic nanoparticles on said semi-conductor layer, comprising:
 immersing said semi-conductor layer in an aqueous solution comprising a precursor solution, said precursor solution comprising metallic nanoparticles, to provide a precursor solution-treated semi-conductor layer; 
 drying said precursor solution-treated semi-conductor layer at room temperature; 
 exposing said dried precursor solution-treated semi-conductor layer to ultraviolet radiation for a selected time duration; and 
 providing metallic nanoparticles on the semi-conductor layer, to provide a surface having a metallic nanoparticle semi-conductor layer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said precursor solution comprises gold chloride (AuCL 3 ) and ultrapure water. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said precursor solution comprises silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ) and ultrapure water. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said semi-conductor layer is immersed in said precursor solution for approximately 30 seconds. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said semi-conductor layer is dried at room temperature under normal atmospheric conditions for approximately 24 hours. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said dried semi-conductor layer is exposed to about 254 nm UV radiation for approximately 30 minutes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said dried semi-conductor layer is exposed to about 254 nm UV radiation for approximately 15 minutes. 
     
     
         8 . A material comprising a surface, said surface comprising a semi-conductor layer containing metallic nanoparticles, wherein said semi-conductor layer is resistant to peeling and is non-toxic. 
     
     
         9 . The material of  claim 8  wherein said surface is a surface of a textile material and said textile material is anti-microbial and self-cleaning. 
     
     
         10 . The material of  claim 8  wherein the metallic nanoparticles comprise gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The material of  claim 8  wherein the textile material comprises a fiber. 
     
     
         12 . A textile material comprising fibers having a metallic nanoparticle semi-conductor film, wherein said film comprises a nanostructured titanium dioxide film and metallic nanoparticles. 
     
     
         13 . The textile material of  claim 12  wherein the metallic nanoparticles comprise gold, silver, or a combination of gold and silver nanoparticles. 
     
     
         14 . The textile material of  claim 12  wherein said textile material is resistant to  E. coli  microbial contamination, mechanical peeling and is non-toxic. 
     
     
         15 . A face mask comprising the textile material of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         16 . A garment comprising the textile material of  claim 12 .