A Novel Approach to Prepare Zn(II)-loaded Cotton Fibers with Antibacterial Property

Abstract

This study is focused on investigating the feasibility of using poly(acrylamide-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)-grafted cotton fibers for the release of Zn(II) ions under physiological conditions.

The optimum grafting conditions for ceric ammonium nitrate induced graft-copolymerization of acrylamide and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone onto cotton fibers was found to include initiator concentration of 35 mM, catalyst HNO₃concentration of 0.35 M and initiation time of 10 min. The Zn(II)-loaded grafted fibers released Zn(II) in the physiological fluid for nearly 72 h with first order diffusion constant 6.0× 10⁻⁴ min⁻¹. The release was regulated by ion-exchange mechanism and less release was observed in protein solution. The Zn (II)—loaded fibers exhibit fair antibacterial activity.

Keywords:

• Grafting
• cotton
• zinc ions
• activation energy
• wound dressings

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to Dr. O. P. Sharma, Head of the Department of Chemistry for providing facilities.