FUNCTIONALIZATION OF SHEEPSKIN SURFACES USING GRAPHENE OXIDE - TiO 2-Ag AND GRAPHENE OXIDE - TiO 2-Cu NANOCOMPOSITES

• Published in: International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference : SGEM Vol. 19; no. 6.1; pp. 191 - 197
• Main Authors: Stanca, M, Gaidãu, C, Roşu, M C, Berechet, D, Alexe, C
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Sofia Surveying Geology & Mining Ecology Management (SGEM) 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Abrasion; Abrasion resistance; Antibacterial activity; Antibiotics; Antimicrobial agents; Bacteria; Cleaning; Contact angle; Copper; E coli; Electron microscopy; Gram-negative bacteria; Gram-positive bacteria; Graphene; Hydrophobicity; Hydroxyapatite; Leather; Mechanical properties; Mechanical tests; Methylene blue; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Orange II; Permeability; Photocatalysis; Polymer films; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Properties; Properties (attributes); Rubbing; Scanning electron microscopy; Sheepskins; Silver; Spraying; Tests; Textile research; Titanium dioxide; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonic testing; Water drops; China; India
• ISSN: 1314-2704
• DOI: 10.5593/sgem2019/6.1/S24.025

In this paper we present the results obtained regarding the functionalization of the surface of sheepskins using nanocomposites based on reduced graphene oxide - TiO2-Ag and reduced graphene oxide - TiO2-Cu in order to obtain leather with antimicrobial and photocatalytic properties. The nanocomposites were integrated in film forming polymer composites and were applied by spraying on sheepskin surfaces. Sheepskin surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), physico-mechanical methods, photocatalytic self-cleaning tests, antibacterial activity and water drop contact angle measurements. The obtained materials were tested to determine the antimicrobial properties for both gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria. The results showed that the sheepskins treated with these nanocomposites are resistant to the attack of both bacteria stains. The new leather surfaces were also tested against the methylene blue and orange II stains and showed photocatalytic self-cleaning properties under visible light exposure. The water drop contact angle measurements and physico-mechanical tests prove hydrophobic surfaces as compared to control sample and more resistant leathers to abrasion and rubbing tests. The results showed that the sheepskin surfaces treated with graphene oxide - TiO2-Ag and graphene oxide - TiO2-Cu nanocomposites have new multifunctional properties in terms of antibacterial resistance, self-cleaning functions, hydrophobic behavior, abrasion and rubbing resistance.