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In this study, the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles was carried out, together with the hydrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate, using sodium hydroxide to increase surface activity and enhance nanoparticle adsorption. Polyester fabrics were treated with zinc acetate and sodium hydroxide in an ultrasonic bath, resulting in the formation of ZnO nanospheres. The presence of zinc oxide on the surface of the polyethylene terephthalate was confi rmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The self-cleaning property of treated fabrics was evaluated through discolouring using methylene blue stain under solar irradiation. The antibacterial activities of the samples against common pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, were also assessed. The results indicated that the photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of the ultrasound-treated polyethylene terephthalate improved significantly.