Antimicrobial Activity of Ag Nanoparticles on Polyester Fabrics Generated by Photoreduction Using TiO2 Nanoparticles

Abstract

This study was aimed to highlight the possibility of in situ generation of Ag nanoparticles on polyester fabric by photoreduction of Ag+ ions with deposited TiO2 nanoparticles in the presence of amino acid alanine and methyl alcohol. The presence of TiO2/Ag nanoparticles on the polyester fibers was proved by XRD, XPS and SEM analyses. Such nanocomposite textile material provides extraordinary antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacterium E. coli, Gram-positive bacterium S. aureus and fungus C. albicans. Maximum microbial reduction was maintained after ten washing cycles. Despite good laundering durability, the leaching of silver occurred during washing. Silver release was also detected during the 24 hours long incubation at 37o C in artificial sweat at pH 5.5 and 8.0. In addition to excellent antimicrobial properties, TiO2/Ag nanoparticles provided maximum UV protection to polyester fabrics.