Metal-containing fabrics and membranes, and method of manufacturing thereof

A method of manufacturing a flexible hydrophilic and porous metal membrane, the method comprising:

• providing a binder free ink comprising a plurality of semiconductor particles and a stabiliser disposed in a first solvent, wherein the semiconductor particles comprise an inorganic semiconductor;
• applying a hydrophobic material to a flexible hydrophilic and porous membrane in a manner configured to define hydrophilic channels on the flexible hydrophilic and porous membrane, wherein the flexible hydrophilic and porous membrane is a flexible nitrocellulose membrane;
• after the application of the hydrophobic material, applying the binder free ink to the hydrophilic channels on the flexible hydrophilic and porous membrane to obtain a flexible hydrophilic and porous membrane comprising a plurality of semiconductor particles;
• and
• contacting the flexible hydrophilic and porous membrane comprising the plurality of semiconductor particles with a deposition solution comprising a second solvent, an autocatalytic agent, and metal cations;
• wherein the autocatalytic agent comprises hydrofluoric acid (HF) or a fluoride salt and the semiconductor particles comprise an oxidised outer layer and the autocatalytic agent is configured to react with the oxidised outer layer and thereby remove the oxidised outer layer from the semiconductor particles;
• and to thereby cause a reaction to occur such that the metal cations are reduced and at least partially displace the semiconductor particles, to thereby provide the flexible hydrophilic and porous metal membrane.