Multi-functionalization of linen fabric using a combination of chitosan, silver nanoparticles and Tamarindus Indica L. seed coat extract

Abstract

Development of multifunctional textile materials is a quest of research today and multifunctional fabrics particularly based on cellulose are highly demanded. Green synthesis of nanoparticles is widely reported; however, the reports on green in situ synthesis of nanoparticles on textile materials is quite limited. Another issue which needs to be addressed through research is the durability of functional properties in case of nanoparticle-containing fabrics. In the present work, linen fabric was first coated with a chitosan-based formulation and the modifed linen was utilized as a backbone for in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles using tamarind seed coat extract. The modified fabric was characterized and further evaluated for change in appearance using reflectance spectroscopy. The functional properties of the modified linen viz. wrinkle recovery, antibacterial activity, ultraviolet protection, flame retardancy and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The retention of such functional properties against subsequent laundering treatments was evaluated. The brown-coloured modified linen showed efficient functional properties, with bacterial reduction of 100%, UPF rating of 50 + and antioxidant activity of 97% and LOI of 23. The functional properties except flame retardancy were retained to a satisfactory level even after 50 washes. The results obtained were promising enough to claim the resulting material as multifunctional textile material suitable for various technical applications.