Production of silica nanoparticles bound fabrics and evaluation of its antibacterial/ultraviolet protection properties

Abstract

Manufacture of microbe-resistant clothing is the need of the hour especially in microbe sensitive environments such as hospitals. Silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 ) were prepared from xerogels synthesised from cotton pods. In the present work, a novel fabric was prepared using SiO 2 , non-woven cotton fabrics and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Different types of fabrics were prepared by incorporating different concentrations of the SiO 2 . Among the fabrics, 3% exhibited significant antimicrobial activity. The smooth surface morphologies of the fabric were proved by scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum of fabric represented the characteristic bands of all the components, i.e. SiO 2 , PEG and cotton fibre. A potential fabric, which possesses microbe-resistant property, and hence they could be of promising use in medical cloths production.