Simultaneous in situ synthesis of nano silver and wool fiber fineness enhancement using sulphur based reducing agents

Due to the special properties of nano particles for applications in textile processing and concern of wool fineness, a novel method is introduced in this research to modify the coarse wool fineness along with synthesis of nano silver to impart antibacterial properties on wool. Moreover, two diverse reducing agents with various concentrations are employed with different concentrations of silver nitrate solutions. The ability of both reducing agents confirmed in synthesizing nano silver on the coarse wool through drawing process producing fine wool fibers. However, comparing these two sulphur-based reducing agents; the finer wool fibers obtained by using sodium dithionite. Interestingly despite our expectations, the tensile strength of the fine wool yarns increased, using both reducing agents along with silver nitrate. FTIR analysis confirmed the changes in the protein structure of the wool and XRD, EDX, AAS and SEM and proved the synthesis and loading of nano silver particles on the wool fiber surfaces. Further, the antibacterial properties of the fine wool confirmed through testing with two different bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus as a Gram positive and Escherichia coli as a Gram negative bacteria. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.