Sticky silver nanoparticles and surface coatings of different textile fabrics stabilised by Muntingia calabura leaf extract

Abstract

Permanent deposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the surface of textile fibre is essential for the long-term medical application of antibacterial textile products. This study aims to propose a new green method of using the pure leaf extract of Muntingia calabura and to create a permanent deposition of AgNPs on the fabric surfaces of cotton, polyester and nylon. The appearance of darker colour confirms the deposition of AgNPs on the fabric fibres. The capacity of water absorption decreased by 9.3, 12.0 and 23.0% and the textile density increased by 10.4, 12.3 and 5.9% were verified for the fabric fibres of cotton, polyester and nylon, respectively, after binding with AgNPs. The antibacterial activity of the cotton, polyester and nylon fabrics against Escherichia coli is better than that against Chromobacterium haemolyticum and then is better than that against Bacillus cereus. The results obtained using the new green method of processing heat treatment experiments by using the pure leaf extract to penetrate AgNPs inside the fabric fibres may contribute to advancing the application of antibacterial textile products for medical uses.