Ecofriendly surface improvement of cotton fabric by a plasma-assisted method to enhance silver nanoparticle adhesion for antimicrobial properties

In this work, we report a novel, facile, and eco-friendly method to fabricate antibacterial cotton surfaces. This involved pre-modification of cotton fibers (CFs) with plasma treatment, followed by composting with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Composite sheets of CFs loaded with AgNPs (CFs@AgNPs) were morphologically and structurally characterized using Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The optical features of the AgNPs were confirmed with UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis). Maximal absorbance of the functionalized AgNPs was at 426 nm with an average size of 41 nm. These small spherically shaped particles are suitable for antibacterial applications. All CFs@AgNPs composite sheets had highly effective antibacterial properties against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial durability of the composite sheets was also tested under 10, 20, and 30 repeated washings. After 30 washings, the antimicrobial performance was only slightly changed.