Abstract
This paper presents a novel design and synthesis strategy for smart antibacterial and reinforcement coatings for hand embroidery threads. For the first, time molokhia stem extract was prepared and utilized as a reducing and capping agent for the synthesis of a uniform narrow-sized dispersion of ZnONPs, with an average size of 10 nm. This was then wrapped with starch chains and coated on hand embroidery threads. The ZnONP size and dispersion were elucidated using microscopic techniques. The tensile strength and antibacterial properties for the developed cotton threads were studied. The new green nanocoatings enhance the tensile strength of hand embroidery threads by 7% and record potential antibacterial behavior. The developed threads inhibit the growth of bacteria and record a clear antibacterial inhibition zone of 8.5 mm compared to zero for the uncoated one. The dispersion and morphology of the nanocoating on the surface cotton threads were investigated using SEM-EDS. The current study affords a green and scalable approach for the new generation of safe and green hand embroidery products.