Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 December 2012
We present a facile approach for growing radially oriented and dense ZnO nanorods and nanoneedles on the commercially available nylon fabrics by a simple, two-step wet chemical route. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-Vis transmission spectroscopy, and wettability measurements. It was observed that the morphology of the resulting ZnO nanostructures strongly depended on the hydrothermal growth conditions. Excellent UV blocking activities were observed for ZnO nanorods containing nylon textiles in the wavelength region of 280-400 nm. Superhydrophobicity was achieved, for both ZnO nanorods and nanoneedles treated nylon fabric, upon 10mM 1-dodecanethiol treatment. ZnO nanostructures were durably attached to the nylon fabric after stirring 2 h in deionized water.