Antibacterial cotton fabric with in situ generated silver nanoparticles by one-step hydrothermal method

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe cotton fabrics were immersed in 1–5 mM aqueous silver nitrate solutions maintained at 80°C for 24 h to in situ generate silver nanoparticles. The presence of silver nanoparticles in the nanocomposite films was proved by microscopic observation. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated the role of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of cotton fabric in reducing the silver salt to nanosilver. The nanocomposite cotton fabrics showed good antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial cotton fabrics can be considered for medical applications such as surgical aprons, wound cleaning, and dressing.