Technical textiles modified with immobilized carbon dots synthesized with infrared assistance

Carbon quantum dots CQDs were investigated as photo-luminescent nanomaterials as it advantageous with nontoxicity to be alternative for metallic-nanomaterials in different purposes. Therefore, the presented report demonstrates an innovative strategy for industrialization of antimicrobial/fluorescent cotton textiles via exploitation of CQDs. Unique/novel infrared-assisted technique was currently investigated for clustering CQDs form carboxymethyl cellulose. The successive nucleation of CQDs (8.0 nm) was affirmed via infra-red, Raman spectroscopy, NMR, TEM and Zeta-potential analysis. The clustered CQDs showed antimicrobial and fluorescent characters. The minimal inhibition concentration for CQDs (100 mg/mL) against E. coli and C. albicans showed pathogenic reduction of 96% and 82%, respectively. Fluorescent emission spectra for CQDs showed two intense peaks at 415-445 nm. CQDs were loaded upon pristine and cationized cotton to prepare CQDs@cotton and CQDs@cationized cotton. While, their physical/mechanical properties (air and water vapor permeabilities, tensile strength and elongation %) and thermal stability (TGA & DTG analysis) were studied. The CQDs@cationized cotton exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity with good durability as after ten repretitive washings, inhibition zone diameter against E. coli, was diminished from 21.0 mm to 14.0 mm. The fluorescent emmision intensity was diminished from 741 to 287 after 10 washing cycles. The produced cotton fabrics could be safely used in the medical and military textiles. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are investigated as photo-luminescent nanomaterials due to their advantageous nontoxicity, potentially serving as alternatives to metallic nanomaterials. By loading CQDs onto cotton fabrics, antimicrobial and fluorescent textiles can be produced, catering to the needs of medical and military textiles. The innovative strategy of industrialization showcased in this report demonstrates the potential of CQDs in functionalizing textiles for various applications.