Eco-friendly nano-curcumin loaded on different polymers: properties and applications as a consolidation and antimicrobial agent for archaeological cotton textiles

Eco-friendly nanomaterials are an important method for the treatment and conservation of cultural heritage objects, especially archeological clothing and textiles. The study discusses the fabrication of curcumin-water-soluble nanoparticles and their loading onto hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), chitosan (CH), and polymethylmethacrylate/Ethyl acrylate P (MMA/EA) polymers to form curcumin nanocomposites and their applications as a reinforcing and antimicrobial agent for archeological cotton textiles. The properties of the prepared curcumin composites and the mechanical, physical, morphological, and chemical properties of cotton textiles treated with nanocurcumin loaded on different polymers were studied using many methods of examination and analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to measure the diameter of curcumin molecules, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess the surface morphology of treated cotton fabrics, and spectroscopy with (ATR-FTIR) to determine the distinctive functional group of nanometric curcumin and the effect of treatment on the distinctive functional groups of cotton textiles treated with curcumin nanocomposites. The measurement of the antimicrobial activity of curcumin nanocomposite showed high activity against Aspergillus flavus and Streptomyces vinaceus strains. The examination of the surface morphology of curcumin nanocomposite also revealed its spherical shape. Noticeable enhancements in the mechanical and physical properties of the cotton fabrics were observed following the treatment. The tensile strength of the experimental cotton samples treated with curcumin nanocomposites showed an increase. The tensile strength of the untreated control cotton sample was 46.33 kgf/cm2, while that of the cotton sample treated with nanocurcumin loaded onto the P (MMA/EA) polymers reached 58.9 kgf/cm2.