Multifunctionalization of cotton fabric with ZnO for developing a superhydrophobic surface with breathability, UV resistance, antibacterial, and self-healing abilities

Superhydrophobic surfaces are important in research and technology because of their extraordinary qualities, such as water repellency, self-cleaning ability, and anti-biofouling performance. However, their production frequently relies on complicated and dangerous chemicals, which are incompatible with sustainable development objectives. We expected that integrating bio-derived chitosan (CS) with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and altering it with low-surface-energy polymers-ODA/PDMS-OH (Octadecylamine/Hydroxy-Terminated Polydimethylsiloxane) would result in an environmentally friendly, resilient, and multifunctional superhydrophobic coating. This technique attempted to integrate micro/nano-structuring with chemical alteration of cotton fabric. The results show that the modified fabric has exceptional superhydrophobicity, with a water contact angle (WCA) of 159.8° and a sliding angle (SA) of 6.9°. The superhydrophobic surface has exceptional mechanical resilience, retaining hydrophobicity after tape peeling, sandpaper abrasion, and washing cycles. Furthermore, the coating exhibits considerable rebound recovery following plasma etching. Although air permeability was slightly reduced, the treated fabric met the comfort requirements for wearable applications while demonstrating superior ultraviolet (UV) resistance, antibacterial activity, self-cleaning performance, and oil-water separation capability, indicating promising practical utility. As a result, this study presents a long-lasting, fluorine-free, and scalable technique for producing multifunctional fabrics that bridges the gap between high performance and environmental sustainability.