Current research was undertaken to develop a new finishing formulation using titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) homogenously suspended in mixture of cationic softener and herbal oil. Its utilization as multifunctional finishing formulation to cotton based fabrics was investigated. The properties of the treated fabrics were monitored and compared with the untreated one. These properties were include the effect of cationic softener concentration, form of TiO2 nano particles (mixture of rutile and anatase), type of cotton fabrics (bleached or pre-carboxymethylated) and presence of herbal oil on the properties of the treated cotton fabrics were monitored. Moreover, stability of TiO2 nanoparticles in such finishing formulation was also determined. The effect of using eco-friendly herbal oil within the same finishing formulation on the antibacterial activities of the treated fabric was also evaluated.

The treated fabrics were monitored for UV-protection, self-cleaning and antibacterial properties. Morphology and structure of TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized using XRD and TEM,. The antibacterial activities of the treated fabrics were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) strains and Escherichia coli (gram-negative), the results show significant antibacterial effect mainly against Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the treated fabrics showed enhanced UV protection and self-cleaning properties with improving softness properties.