M.K. Zahran

Characterization of nanosilver coated cotton fabrics and evaluation of its antibacterial efficacy

An ecological and viable method for coating of cotton fabrics with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been carried out. Nanocoated fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and infrared spectroscopy. Color coordinates and silver release were assessed and the impact of repeated washings was evaluated. Silver contents were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy and were 109.07 and 97.85 mg/kg for the fabrics treated with 100 ppm of AgNPs in presence and absence of binder respectively. Antibacterial activities of the cotton fabrics coated by AgNPs were evaluated qualitatively and quantatively, and the results explored that, regardless of the concentration of AgNPs used, the biocidability was always higher without washing. However, for all coated fabrics, a sufficient antibacterial action still observed after 20 washings. The results revealed that valuable antibacterial textiles which are required in different medical textile fields could be successfully produced.

Surface modification of cotton fabrics for antibacterial application by coating with AgNPs-alginate composite.

In recent years nano-sized particles have been focused on bacteriostasis. We investigated antimicrobial activities by applying AgNPs-alginate composite on cotton fabric, using a simple one-step rapid synthetic route by reduction of silver nitrate using alkali hydrolyzed alginate solution which acts as both reducing and capping agent. FTIR spectra, color coordinates, silver content, silver release percent and SEM images of treated fabric samples confirmed the successful physical deposition of AgNPs-alginate composite on the fabric. The treated fabrics demonstrated an excellent antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A slight decrease in the antibacterial feature of the cotton fabrics was observed after successive washings. However, an efficient antibacterial activity still remained on the fabrics.

Functionalization of medical cotton by direct incorporation of silver nanoparticles

Medical cotton is usually used to clean skin, pack wounds and in other surgical tasks. Such important usages make imparting the antibacterial property to medical cotton is so essential research. The current research focuses on functionalization of medical cotton by direct incorporation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in two-step process namely, pre-alkalization followed by sorption. Decorative color and antibacterial action were accomplished for medical cotton after in situ incorporation of AgNPs without using any other external reducing agent. AgNPs were produced due to the reduction action of alcoholic and aldehydic groups of cottons skeletal blocks. Cotton fibers were acquired a decorative color attributed to surface plasmon resonance of AgNPs. The treated cotton was characterized by using electron microscope. Results showed that Ag(0) with size distribution of 0-160 nm was formed in the cotton fibers and their size majority (70%) was less than 80 nm. The reduction of Ag(+) to Ag(0) was confirmed by measuring the carboxylic and aldehydic contents. The treated cotton exhibited excellent antibacterial action at low silver contents. The absorbency of cotton was not affected by treatment. The produced medical cotton could be used to safe cleaning of wounds without getting any microbial infections.

Facile size-regulated synthesis of silver nanoparticles using pectin.

Monodispersed silver nanoparticles capped by pectin were prepared by the reaction of silver nitrate with alkali hydrolyzed pectin at 70 °C for 30 min. Spherical and size-regulated silver nanoparticles were prepared using alkali hydrolyzed pectin as a reducing and particle-stabilizing agent. This approach is facile, effective, rapid, and convenient for the large scale preparation of silver nanoparticles. UV-visible spectral analysis confirmed that the nanoparticles consisted of metallic silver. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to estimate particle size and size distribution of the produced silver nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy and size distribution analysis revealed the presence of spherical silver nanoparticles with a main diameter of 5-10nm and have a narrow size distribution. The concentration of reducing sugars was monitored by using dinitrosalicylic acid. A comprehensive schematic mechanism for the formation of silver nanoparticles using pectin is proposed.

Instantly AgNPs deposition through facile solventless technique for poly-functional cotton fabrics

Nowadays, functional clothes are employed for human body protection in addition to be fashionable clothes. Hence functionalization of clothes increases the attention of scientists and business. In the current study, poly-functional cotton fabric was carried out by instantly deposition of AgNPs using two solventless techniques namely; sorption and padding. Sorption technique was exhibited extremely high efficiency than padding one by ca. 10 times. By using the same concentrations of AgNO3, Ag content was ranged 69.3-6094.8 mg/kg and 33.8-609.3 mg/kg for sorption and padding, respectively. After AgNPs deposition, fabrics color was turned to gray-reddish yellow. By applying 5912.3 mgAg/kg fabric, bacterial reduction and UPF value were reached 99% and 12.59. Bacterial reduction and UPF were lessened to 90% and 10.19 after 20 washings. These findings proved that the direct AgNPs deposition into cotton using solventless/sorption technique is applicable in manufacturing of antibacterial/UV resistant fabrics with acquired decorative color.

Alginate mediate for synthesis controllable sized AgNPs

A new method to prepare silver nanoparticles was reported. Alginate colloidal solution containing chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was investigated regarding the nanoparticles stabilization and possibilities for production of alginate based nanoparticles. The formation of AgNPs has been confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy and monitoring of reducing sugars in the reaction was carried out. The morphology of synthesized silver nanoparticles was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the morphology of Ag nanoparticles is spherical and the main size is about 1-4 nm.

Ag0 nanoparticles containing cotton fabric: Synthesis, characterization, color data and antibacterial action

The main objective of the current research was to successfully employ the reducing and stabilizing features of xanthan gum to synthesize nanosilver, then coating cotton fabrics with the net produced nanosilver in order to obtain finished fabrics valuable in medical applications. Pre-hydrolyzed xanthan gum was used to reduce Ag(+) to Ag(0) in nano size using a simple one-step rapid synthetic route. The reduction step was followed up by measuring the concentration of reducing sugars eliminated in the reaction medium. The optimum concentration of xanthan gum was 3g/L to reduce 1 mmol/L Ag(+), as 2.66 ± 0.4 g/L was the maximum concentration of reducing sugars obtained in the reaction. Transmission microscope images show that the AgNPs are spherical in shape with mean size 9.1 ± 4.8 nm. Cotton fabrics were then coated with the produced AgNPs using pad-dry-cure method. Well dispersed layer from Ag(0) on cotton surface was showed under electron microscope. The biocidal activities of the coated fabrics were tested against Staphylococcus aureus and showed excellent results for antibacterial even after 20 washing cycles. This method has the advantage of not necessitating aggressive conditions such as the presence of organic solvents to produce durable antibacterial cotton fabrics.

Room temperature synthesis of metallic nanosilver using acacia to impart durable biocidal effect on cotton fabrics

Effective one-pot and large scale strategy for rapid synthesis and stabilization of Ag0 nanoparticles (AgNPs) at room temperature, using acacia gum has been reported. Acacia gum played a dual rule as reducing agent for Ag+ and as stabilizing agent for the net produced AgNPs. Concentration of reducing sugars produced in the reaction medium was monitored. Formation of AgNPs has been detected by UV-Vis spectra and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Size distribution was 4–8 nm and mean size was 6 nm for AgNPs prepared at room temperature. Finishing of Cotton fabrics by solutions of AgNPs - acacia composite was utilized. Presence of Ag on the coated Cotton was confirmed by using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The influence of coating with that composite on color of fabrics and on biocidal properties as well as laundering durability of obtained effects was studied. Coated Cotton fabrics exhibited excellent antibacterial action with good durability as after 20 washing cycles, 99 % of bacteria was completely killed. The presented method contains neither complicated systems nor hazard chemicals, which makes the coated fabrics with AgNPs - acacia composite sterile and can be used in medical purposes to prevent or minimize infection with pathogenic bacteria.

Facile Precursor for Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Alkali Treated Maize Starch

Silver nanoparticles were prepared by using alkali treated maize starch which plays a dual role as reducer for AgNO3 and stabilizer for the produced AgNPs. The redox reaction which takes a place between AgNO3 and alkali treated starch was followed up and controlled in order to obtain spherical shaped silver nanoparticles with mean size 4–6 nm. The redox potentials confirmed the principle role of alkali treatment in increasing the reducibility of starch macromolecules. The measurements of reducing sugars at the end of reaction using dinitrosalicylic acid reagent (DNS) were carried out in order to control the chemical reduction reaction. The UV/Vis spectra show that an absorption peak, occurring due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR), exists at 410 nm, which is characteristic to yellow color of silver nanoparticles solution. The samples have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which reveal the nanonature of the particles.

Heatless synthesis of well dispersible Au nanoparticles using pectin biopolymer.

Due to its potency to utilize in enormous applications, preparation of nanogold is of interest. Moreover, getting of highly dispersed nanogold with small size is extremely needful in specific fields. Herein, Au nanocolloid was prepared using alkali catalyzed pectin biopolymer. Pectin was concurrently used as reductant for Au ions and stabilizer for the produced Au nanoparticles (AuNPs). Reducing sugars were evaluated in the colloidal solution reflecting the role alkali in catalytic degradation of pectin to produce much powerful reducing moieties. The obtained Au nanocolloid was monitored via changing in color, UV-visible spectral and transmission electron microscopy. Using of NaOH as strong alkali achieving rapid rate of degradation reaction, resulted in 0.45g/L reducing sugars from 0.2g/L pectin which produced AuNPs with mean size of 6.5nm. In case of Na2CO3 which attained slow degradation rate led to, slightly low reducing sugar content (0.41g/L), fabricated comparatively size of AuNPs (7.5nm). In both cases, well distributed AuNPs was obtained with suitable stabilization up to 5 months and Na2CO3 exhibited higher stability. The current successful method used to produce small sized AuNPs with high dispersion is an innovative, one-step, easily, costless, energy saving and eco-friendly method.