Designing Durable Multifunctional Cotton Fabrics through a Bio-Based Self-Healing Polyurethane Strategy

Herein, a robust cotton fabric PU55Ti-6 was constructed through the synergistic incorporation of TiO₂ nanoparticles and a bio-based self-healing polyurethane coating (PU-EuSi₅–HEDS₅). The resulting micro-nano structure and oleophilic–hydrophobic components enable excellent water repellency, self-cleaning behavior, and efficient oil/water separation.

TiO₂ nanoparticles together with eugenol-derived polyurethane provide strong UV protection via combined scattering and absorption effects. Dynamic disulfide bonds and phenol-carbamate within the polyurethane network enhance coating durability and impart self-healing capability, enabling recovery of water repellency of PU55Ti-6 after mechanical damage such as abrasion, peeling, and vigorous washing. The PU55Ti-6 also exhibits improved mechanical strength, thermal stability and UV protective capacity relative to pristine cotton even after thermal aging, outdoor exposure, and UV irradiation, demonstrating excellent environmental robustness.