Synthesis and padding of silver nanoparticles on cotton fabric and their antibacterial property

Abstract

Highly concentrated (10,000 ppm) and highly stabilized colloidal silver nanoparticles were synthesized by reduction of silver salt with borohydride in the presence of a stabilizer. The stabilizer used is a biocompatible material including gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and starch. The efficiency of these stabilizers was investigated. The size, size distribution and morphology of nanoparticles were characterized by UV/visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The silver nanoparticles with starch as a stabilizer have the smallest particle size and narrowest particle size distribution. Immobilization of silver nanoparticles on cotton and polyester fabrics was carried out by padding method by silver nanoparticles with starch. This method is simple and easily performed without any change of the machine in factories. Padding pressure was adjusted in order to control the amount and uniformity of silver nanoparticles on the fabrics. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that silver nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of the fabrics. The antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles on the fabrics were investigated against S. aureus by AATCC test method 147-1998 (the American Association of Textiles Chemist and Colorists). The silver nanoparticles-immobilized fabrics showed excellent the antibacterial property.