Antibacterial efficacy of cotton nanofiber soaked in Ag, ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles

Mohammad Hussein AL-Dharob, Raghad S. Mouhamad, Khlood Abedalelah Al Khafaji and Entisar E. Al-Abodi

Abstract

In view of eco-benign nature of nanoparticles prepared via green routes, in the present investigation, silver, zinc oxide and titanium nanoparticles have been prepared using onion (Allium cepa) extract, which act a reducing and capping agent. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible, FT-IR, XRD, AFM, and SEM techniques. The nanoparticles efficacy was studied as antibacterial agent by applying on cotton fiber. Cotton nanofiber was coated by soaking in solutions of nanoparticles (Ag, ZnO and TiO₂) and their biological efficiency was evaluated and it was observed that the cotton fiber soaked with nanoparticles showed a strong biological efficiency against panel of selected strains. This coated nanofiber of cotton shows a mat with high surface area versus uncoated fiber. Results revealed that green synthesized nanoparticles enhanced the antibacterial activity of cotton fiber, which have potential applications in textile industry.