Nanostructured copper oxide-cotton fibers: synthesis, characterization, and applications

Copper oxide nanoparticles were prepared and subsequently deposited onto surface of the cotton fibers by ultrasonic irradiation. The structure and morphology of the coated and un-coated cottons were examined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis. These methods revealed that of CuO nanoparticles are crystalline and corresponds to monoclinic phase, and that these nanoparticles are physically adsorbed onto the cotton fiber surface. They have an average crystallite size of 10 nm; the physical and chemical properties of the treated cotton fibers are markedly different from those of the untreated cotton fibers. The CuO-cotton fiber nanocomposites were tested against Escherichia coli (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) cultures and showed a significant antimicrobial activity; whereas its analogous CuS-coated cotton material formed by the reaction CuO-coated cotton fibers with H2S showed no activity.