Influence of Incorporating Silver Nanoparticles in Protease Treatment on Fiber Friction, Antistatic, and Antibacterial Properties of Wool Fibers

Abstract

This study was conducted by analyzing the effect of surface treatment on wool using varying percentages of protease (3%, 6%, and 9%) with incorporating silver nanoparticles and by varying pH (i.e., pH = 4 and pH = 7). The comparison of fiber surface morphology and the FTIR analysis was done to characterize the nanocoating. The results showed that the antistatic and antibacterial effect on the samples treated at 3% protease and 6% protease were better than the samples treated at 9% protease. Correspondingly, the samples treated at pH 4 had better antistatic and antibacterial properties than those treated at pH 7. Sulfur compounds play a key role in interaction and absorption of silver nanoparticles.