Abstract
In-situ preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into plasma-pretreated cotton substrates adds novel functional properties and expands their potential applications. Herein, we report a new approach toward the assembly of multifunctional coated technical textiles. AgNPs was in-situ prepared onto plasma-pretreated cotton fibers using the simple pad-dry-cure method to impart ultraviolet protection, brilliant colors, antimicrobial and photocatalytic self-cleaning properties. AgNPs was produced by thermal reduction of excess Ag+ from an aqueous solution of silver N-(2-ethylhexyl)carbamate on the fibrous cotton surface at 130 degrees C. The immobilization of the generated AgNPs onto the fibers was improved by plasma activation. Both morphology and elemental content of the treated fabrics were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and scanning electron microscopy (EDX-SEM). The morphology of the generated AgNPs was also investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The generated AgNPs exhibited a homogeneous distribution and high depositing density with a nanoparticle size between 35 and 80 nm. AgNPs incorporated onto cotton fibers endowed with brownish-yellow color for plasma-untreated fibers and brown for plasma-pretreated fibers. The colorfastness and color strength of the AgNPs-coated fabrics were explored. The colored cotton fibers demonstrated persistent antimicrobial performance to S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans pathogens. AgNPs/cotton displayed excellent photocatalysis and self-cleaning properties to the photochemical decomposition of methylene blue.