Silver-based, single-sided antibacterial cotton fabrics with improved durability via an l-cysteine binding effect

The main purpose of this work was to obtain durable antimicrobial cotton textiles functionalized with l-cysteine (Cys) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). Cys molecules were covalently linked to cotton fibers via esterification with the cellulose hydroxyl groups, and the Ag NPs tightly adhered to the fiber surface via coordination bonds with the Cys thiol groups. As a result, the Ag NPs coating on the cotton fabric showed an excellent antibacterial function with an outstanding laundering durability. Even after 90 consecutive laundering tests, the modified cotton fabrics still showed satisfactory bacterial reduction rates against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the rates were are all higher than 94%. These findings will allow for broader applications of antimicrobial cotton textiles with a decreased safety risk and lower environmental impact due to the Ag NPs.