American Journal of Applied Chemistry 2015; 3(2): 65-68 Published online March 4, 2015 (http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajac) doi: 10.11648/j.ajac.20150302.15 ISSN: 2330-8753 (Print); ISSN: 2330-8745 (Online) Investigation on Physico-Chemical Properties of 100% Cotton Woven Fabric Treated with Titanium Dioxide Md. Mostafizur Rahman 1, * , Elias Khalil 1 , Md. Solaiman 1 , Mubarak Ahmad Khan 2 , Joy Sarkar 3 , Faisal Abedin 4 , A. H. M. Asif Kamal 5 , Rajib Al Mamun 6 1 Department of Textile Engineering, World University of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh 2 Institute of Radiation & Polymer Technology, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh 3 Department of Textile Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna 9203, Bangladesh 4 Department of Textile Engineering, BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh 5 Department of Textile Engineering, Sonargaon University, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh 6 Department of Textile Engineering, Khwaja Yunus Ali University, Sirajgonj, Bangladesh Email address: mostafiz_textile@yahoo.com (Rahman M. M.), eliaskhalil52@gmail.com (Khalil E.), solaimanbari@gmail.com (Solaiman M.), makhan.inst@gmail.com (Khan M. A.), joy.ctet@gmail.com (Sarkar J.), engnr.faisal.butex@gmail.com (Abedin F.), abirasifkamal@gmail.com (Kamal A. H. M. A.), rajibtexmbstu@yahoo.com (Mamun R. A.) To cite this article: Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Elias Khalil, Md. Solaiman, Mubarak Ahmad Khan, Joy Sarkar, Faisal Abedin, A. H. M. Asif Kamal, Rajib Al Mamun. Investigation on Physico-Chemical Properties of 100% Cotton Woven Fabric Treated with Titanium Dioxide. American Journal of Applied Chemistry. Vol. 3, No. 2, 2015, pp. 65-68. doi: 10.11648/j.ajac.20150302.15 Abstract: This paper represents an approach to observe the physico-chemical effects of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) applied on 100% cotton woven fabric. Cotton fabric was treated with TiO 2 by exhaustion method and followed by necessary curing and washing processes. The treated fabrics were then analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and the tensile strength, pH and absorbency of the treated and untreated fabrics were examined. It was found that titanium dioxide impairs the hand feel and absorbency of 100% cotton woven fabrics, wetting time of all treated fabrics increased gradually than untreated fabrics. The treatment increases the tensile strength of 100% cotton woven fabrics. The treatment with titanium dioxide also kept the pH of the fabric in acidic medium. Keywords: Cotton Woven Fabric, Titanium Dioxide (TiO 2 ), Exhaustion Method, Tensile Strength 1. Introduction The history of clothing is the history of civilization. By the development of science and technology, peoples begin to use cloth in the form of garments. The development of clothing was depended on the development of fiber, which is the only one raw material of making fabric. Natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool etc. was the major natural sources for making cloth. Among different types of fibers, cotton receives the supreme places by considering different factors of various fibers. Today, cotton is the most used textile fiber in the world. At present, current market share of cotton fiber is 56 percent for all fibers used for garments and home furnishing. It is generally recognized that most consumers prefer cotton personal care items to those containing synthetic fibers. Cotton is a natural fiber that comes from the seed pod of the cotton plant and is used to make many fabric types. The fiber is hollow in the center and under the microscope, resembles a twisted ribbon [1]. Cotton can be knit or woven into cloth. The two most common weaves for cotton are plain and twill weave. A plain weave or jersey fabric is used to make a wide range of wearing apparel including blouses, shirts, T shirts, children’s wear, swimwear, skirts, ladies hosiery etc. A twill weave is more durable and is found in denim, khaki and gabardine. Cotton fabric is popular because it’s easy to care and comfortable year round. In hot, humid weather, cotton breathes. Cotton fibers can absorb up to 27 times its own weight in water [2]. As the body perspires, cotton fibers absorb the moisture and release it on the surface of the fabric, so it evaporates. In cold weather, if the fabric remains dry, the fibers retain body heat, especially napped fabrics. Another characteristic of cotton fiber is that it can be blended with synthetic fibers such as cotton/polyester, cotton/nylon,