The antibacterial efficiency of polyester fabrics modified by air RF plasma and silver nanoparticles

Abstract

The aim of this study was to highlight the possibility of using the air RF plasma for fiber surface activation that can facilitate the deposition of silver nanoparticles from colloid onto the polyester fabrics and thus, enhance their antibacterial properties. The deposition of silver nanoparticles caused significant morphological changes as well as the color change of polyester fabrics. Untreated polyester fabrics and polyester fabrics activated by air RF plasma, both, subsequently modified by silver nanoparticles exhibited excellent antibacterial properties against Gram-negative bacterium E. coli and Gram-positive bacterium S. aureus. However, polyester fabrics activated by plasma provided better laundering durability of achieved effects.