Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide and Polyanthranilic Acid-Coated Silk Fabrics for Improved UV Protection and Thermal Properties

Sustainable multifunctional fabrics have attracted significant interest within the field of flexible and wearable applications, specifically in areas such as thermal conductive and ultraviolet (UV) protective textiles due to the harmful effects of UV radiation like causing skin cancer and aging. In this study, sustainable multifunctional fabrics were produced by coating green-synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) and polyanthranilic acid (PANA) onto silk fabrics. This process involved an eco-friendly synthesis method using Laurus nobilis aqueous leaf extract and zinc acetate dihydrate to obtain zinc oxide particles, followed by the application of polyanthranilic acid and zinc oxide to the silk fabric using two different coating methods. Therefore, the influence of the PANA content and ZnO on the surface structures, ultraviolet (UV) protection, and thermal conductivity of the fabrics was examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV protection, and thermal properties measurement studies. The study revealed that processing methods, PANA, and the ZnO ratio on fabric have an impact on the mechanical, thermal, and UV-protecting properties. The 6g PANA/ZnO/silk fabric produced by chemical deposition showed better thermal insulation behavior with good UV protection, while the 6g PANA/ZnO/silk fabric produced by spray coating exhibited the highest UV protection, thermal conductivity and thermal absorptivity properties.