Multifunctional finishing of cellulosic fabric via facile, rapid in-situ green synthesis of AgNPs using pomegranate peel extract biomolecules

Abstract

Chemical textile finishing is attracting a growing interest from the academicians and scientists for manufacturing advanced textiles and clothing with novel functionalities. This paper reports on simultaneous coloration, antioxidant and antimicrobial finishing of cotton fabrics using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesised by a green biochemical reduction method. AgNPs were fabricated via facile in-situ method using pomegranate peel extract (PPE) as a green reducing and capping agent. During the reaction, hydroxyl groups present in pomegranate peeltannins served to interact with silver ions, subsequently reducing them to AgNPs. The formation of AgNPs, and subsequently their deposition on the surface of cotton was characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy disperse X-ray (EDX) line, and ICP-MS analysis. We assessed the dyeing ability, colorimetric analysis and fastness properties of AgNPs treated cotton by using reflectance spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity of treated cotton was evaluated by 2, 2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay. The AgNPs treated cotton fabrics were evaluated for antimicrobial activity using colony counting method against E. coli and S. aureus pathogens. The results suggested that AgNPs imparted beautiful pale yellow to dark brown hues to cotton with acceptable light and washing fastness properties. The AgNPs treated cotton displayed good antioxidant activity and excellent antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus indicating their usage in the development of healthcare and hygienic textiles.