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Nanotechnology

Nanoparticles in Cellulose-Based Textiles Show Excellent Protection Against Bacteria and UV Radiation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A team of researchers from the University of Ljubljana, led by Marija Gorjanc, has demonstrated the development of cellulose-based textiles that are functionalized with silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using environmentally friendly approaches. The textiles, which were created using water extracts of plant food waste and alien invasive plants as reducing agents, showed excellent protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation and pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli and S. aureus.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research demonstrates the in-situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles on cotton fabrics using plant food waste and alien invasive plant extracts as reducing agents.
  • The synthesized AgNP on cotton showed excellent protection against UV radiation with UV protection factor values above 50.
  • The textiles showed excellent protection against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria, with all cotton samples showing a high degree of protection.
  • The air permeability and thermal conductivity of the textiles decreased due to the presence of AgNP on cotton.
  • The research found that AgNP had no effect on the change in breaking strength or elongation of fabrics.
  • The extracts were analyzed for their total content of phenols and flavonoids and their antioxidant activity.
  • The reducing agents used to form AgNP on cotton included water extracts of plant food waste (green tea leaves, avocado seed, and pomegranate peel) and alien invasive plants (Japanese knotweed rhizome, goldenrod flowers, and staghorn sumac fruit).

Statistics:

  • UV protection factor values above 50 were observed for all cotton samples.
  • The amount of AgNP on cotton varied depending on the reducing agent used, with the highest amount found for samples where Japanese knotweed rhizome extract was used as reducing agent.
  • The lowest amount of AgNP on cotton was found for samples treated with extracts of goldenrod flowers and green tea leaves.
  • The largest AgNP particles were found in samples treated with Japanese knotweed rhizome extract.
  • The synthesized AgNP on cotton showed excellent protection against UV radiation even after 12 repetitive washing cycles.

Sources:

  • Development of Antibacterial and Uv Protective Cotton Fabrics Using Plant Food Waste and Alien Invasive Plant Extracts As Reducing Agents for the In-situ Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles. Cellulose, 2021.
  • NewsRx. Recent Findings in Nanoparticles Described by Researchers from University of Ljubljana (Development of Antibacterial and Uv Protective Cotton Fabrics Using Plant Food Waste and Alien Invasive Plant Extracts As Reducing Agents for the In-situ ...). News of Science. March 28, 2021; p 3699.

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