Enhancing the antibacterial properties of silver particles coated cotton bandages followed by natural extracted dye

Currently the stretchable knitted fabrics are extensively used as compression bandages in clinics. In present study, we have fabricated antibacterial stretchable medicated textiles (bandages, compression bandages). The study was composed of three parts. At first, the versatile one-pot green synthesis approach was used to form a stable and concentrated solution of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) through the self-assembly of tannic acid (capping agent). Tannic acid (hygienic capping agent) serving as a green dispersant and reductant, also acts as a self-assembly agent and while remaining free of hazardous chemicals. Subsequently, the synthesized Ag-NPs were coated over the cotton textile substrate. The surface morphologies of the metallic nanoparticles coated textiles were evaluated by the use of different characterization techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). In the second step, a natural antibacterial dye was extracted from pomegranate peel and exhaust dyeing process was employed over the Ag-NPs coated fabric. The color measurement parameters of the dyed substrate were evaluated using CILAB (L*, a*, b*, C, h, and K/S). The K/S values for dyed sample was relatively high (11.31) than for undyed fabric (7.47), indicating that dyeing has altered the light-toned silver coated fabric to a relatively dark-colored fabric. While, the levelness L* value of the dyed fabric was relatively low (37.15) than undyed fabric (55.35), indicating that the dyed sample has a darker shade (depth) compared to the undyed sample. Additionally, the antipathogenic performance, including antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects, were determined for all coated fabrics. The silver coated fabric with post dyeing process showed extraordinary antibacterial properties and killed 99.99% of bacteria ( E. coli and S. aureus ). After washing, durability of the coated fabric was validated by the measurement of antibacterial properties. Moreover, comfort parameters (air flow permeability 935 mm/s and water vapor transmission 83 mm/s permeability) for developed bandages were also analyzed. The prepared hygienic textile substrates are well-suited for use in sportwear, bioactive garments, surgical gowns, and compression bandages such as head bandages, wrist or knee bandages.