Effects of nanosilver application on physical, mechanical and antibacterial properties of cotton fabrics
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Date
2014
Authors
Perera, W. P. S. K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles are often applied to textiles for their strong antimicrobial activity. Textiles have been treated primarily with silver nanoparticles by blending them with textiles, which is called the ex-situ method, and by synthesizing silver nanoparticles in the textile sometimes using intrinsic properties of the textile, which is called the in-situ method. The influence of ex-situ and in-situ silver nanoparticle treatment methods related to comfort and performance properties of texti les has been only scantly investigated. The opportunity therefore exists to identify a durable and economical approach ,to apply silver nanoparticles on cotton fabrics with minimum alteration s to physical and mechanical properties of the treated fabrics employing the ex-situ and in- situ methods.
An existing ex-situ chemical method and an in-situ photo-reduction method developed in our research technology to treat silver nanoparticles on cotton fabrics were investigated. AgN0 3 was the silver source in both methods. In the ex-situ method, a nanosilver colloid was prepared using trisodium citrate which acted as a reducing and a stabilizing agent. This nanosi lver colloid was appl ied on fabrics using the pad-dry-cure method. In the in-situ photo-reduction method, nanosilver, was synthesized in cotton fabrics using cellulose as the reactor and the stabilizer in the presence of ultraviolet radiation. The antibacterial, performance and comfort properties of the nanosilver treated fabrics were compared with those of the untreated fabrics . The rigor of the research was improved by statistically comparing the results.
Results indicated that the in-situ nanosilver treated fabrics could retain its perform ance properties close to the original fabric . Further, it is also evid ent that this method is environmentally benign due to the less complex finishing proc ess , low chemical usage and low leaching out .of silver in the washing process. The ability to control the size, place or shape of application of nanosilver on cotton makes the in-situ method more adoptable for various textile usages. The ex-situ method indicated its inability to retain treatment durability and alterations were observed in the performance prop erties with the introduction of silver nanoparticles to the fabric . Methodology presented here to study the effects of nanosilver treatment on textiles could be of interest to other nanoparticle applications.
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Keywords
Nanosilver , Silver nanoparticles , Silver , Cotton fabrics