The Development of ZnO Nanoparticle Coated Cotton Fabrics for Antifungal and Antibacterial Applications

Abstract

In the textile industry, cotton is the most popular choice among all the natural fibers due to its unique properties such as softness, affinity to skin, biodegradability, absorbency, and moisture being comfortable to wear. Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were produced and coated on cotton fabrics. The concentration of Zinc acetate was varied. 2-methoxy-ethanol has been used as a solvent. Using the dip coating technique, ZnO NPs have been coated on the cotton fabric in different mole concentrations. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Ultraviolet Visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, the antifungal and antibacterial activity of the ZnO NPs was performed on the coated fabrics. The SEM images depicted that the nanoparticles are well dispersed on the fabric at 3M concentration of ZnO solution. It was found that the UV absorbance increases with the increase of concentration up to 2M concentration and after that it decreases. It was also found that maximum antibacterial and antifungal activity is at 2M concentration.