Washable Antimicrobial Wipes Fabricated from a Blend of Nanocomposite Raw Cotton Fiber

In this study, a simple and effective way to produce washable antimicrobial wipes was developed based on the unique ability of raw cotton fiber to produce silver nanoparticles. A nanocomposite substructure of silver nanoparticles (25 +/- 3 nm) was generated in raw cotton fiber without reducing and stabilizing agents. This nanocomposite raw cotton fiber (2100 +/- 58 mg/kg in the concentration of silver) was blended in the fabrication of nonwoven wipes. Blending small amounts in the wipes-0.5% for antimicrobial properties and 1% for wipe efficacy-reduced the viability of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa by 99.9%. The wipes, fabricated from a blend of 2% nanocomposite raw cotton fiber, maintained their antibacterial activities after 30 simulated laundering cycles. The washed wipes exhibited bacterial reductions greater than 98% for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Automated summary

In this study, a simple and effective method to produce washable antimicrobial wipes was developed using raw cotton fiber to generate silver nanoparticles. Blending the nanocomposite raw cotton fiber in the wipes reduced the viability of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa by 99.9%. The washed wipes exhibited bacterial reductions greater than 98% for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, maintaining their antibacterial activities after 30 simulated laundering cycles.