In situ attachment and its hydrophobicity of size- and shape-controlled silver nanoparticles on fabric surface for bioapplication

ABSTRACT

In situ synthesis of size- and shape-controlled silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on fabrics was evaluated with structural and morphological characterization (scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive spectroscope (EDS)). At lower concentration of NaBH₄ (0.5 mM) with preferred AgNO₃ (1 mM) mixtures shows uniform distribution of AgNPs on cotton fabrics. The attachment of smaller sized and discrete AgNPs on fabrics shows good antibacterial action on comparison with other aggregated and larger sized AgNPs when tested in Shigella sonnei and Bacillus subtilis species. Higher bactericidal action and relative change in hydrophobic nature (water contact angle >110°) of treated fabrics explained by decrease in surface free energy could have self-cleaning biomedical applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Silver nanoparticles
• in situ synthesis
• size and shape control
• biocidal
• fabrics

Acknowledgments

One of the authors, K. Rajavel, acknowledges the Council for Science and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, for the award of Senior Research Fellowship.