The use of decorated titanium oxide nanoparticles for the development of handmade textile heritage in Egyptian villages: Design, mechanical, flammability, and antibacterial properties

Abstract Improving eco‐friendly coating‐based materials for wool artifacts, such as kilim fabric can inspire new‐fashion design avenues for conserving ancient cultural heritage. Thus, this research addresses an efficient treatment agent from natural rosin acids (R) and dapsone (D) with variable sublethal proportions of synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) (i.e., 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.6%) for modifying kilim fabric (KF) using a dip‐coating method. The nanostructure of prepared TiO 2 nanoparticles and their particle size were examined by x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Zetasizer analyzer. The data showed that the majority of prepared TiO 2 oriented to a rutile‐type structure with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 48.30–49.65 nm. The KF‐R/D‐0.3% TiO 2 NPs specimen provided the best tensile properties reached ~3192 N compared with the untreated KF (i.e., 1125 N). This finding confirmed by SEM observations. Whereas, the specimen containing decorated TiO 2 NPs (i.e., 0.6%) possessed higher flammability resistance property compared with other specimens. Moreover, XRD and FTIR results for treated KF specimens demonstrated the significant role of TiO 2 NPs, which react with KF keratin either by new linkages or through chelating geometry to form a compact KF matrix. This contributed to enhance the tensile and flammability properties. Additionally, a great achievement in antibacterial properties occurred when TiO 2 NPs used and their inhibitory zones were 18–36 mm, depending on the bacteria and specimen type. Highlights Novel treatment of KF fabric‐based bioagents with sublethal contents of TiO 2 NPs was successfully prepared by dip‐coating route. The tensile force and flammability of treated KF fabric were greatly enhanced. A great achievement in antibacterial activity was noticed when TiO 2 added. These treated fabrics have excellent possibility for use in conserving cultural heritage.