In-situ synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of viscose fiber loaded with silver nanoparticles

In order to broaden applications of viscose fiber, graft copolymerization of acrylic acid was conducted on its surface followed by in situ loading of Ag nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). The loading amount of Ag-NPs was affected by the concentrations of Ag+ and trisodium citrate, and their optimum concentrations were found to be 0.014 and 0.030 g/ml. The Ag-NP-loaded fibers presented a prolonged Ag release behavior in aqueous solution, of which the cumulative release was less than 5 % within 48 h. In addition, the viscose fibers showed good antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, and their consecutive antimicrobial activity was kept at more than 90 % after several washing cycles. Modified viscose fibers, therefore, offer a great opportunity for use as antimicrobial fabrics.