A facile method for anti-bacterial finishing of cotton fabrics using silver nanoparticles

A facile method for anti-bacterial finishing of cotton fabrics using silver nanoparticles This research focuses on the anti-microbial finishing of cotton fabrics using colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles. For this purpose, water repellent finishing process using a fluorocarbon and anti-crease finishing using different chemicals on cotton fabrics were experimented. The properties of samples have been investigated by measuring bacteria reduction, wrinkle recovery angle, water repellency, tenacity, abrasion and washing fastness. Although treated samples by pad-dry method have the best anti-bacterial effect, the washing and abrasion fastness were not at the acceptable level. Consequently, co-application of the colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles with the water repellent and crease resistant materials improved the fastness properties, while at the same time the anti-bacterial properties were reduced because of the limited direct contact between the nanoparticles and the bacteria. Therefore, it was concluded that the anti-bacterial finishing method should be selected according to the end uses. In addition, anti-bacterial treatment could be one of the multi-functional finishes for cotton fabric.