Viscoelastic properties and antimicrobial activity of cellulose fiber sheets impregnated with Ag nanoparticles

► Ag-nanoparticle modified fibers were used for the preparation of antimicrobial sheets. ► Three types of cellulose fibers (pine, linter and recycled) have been investigated. ► Low amount of the nanosilver (∼0.1 wt.%) improves the sheet strength up to 30%. ► DMA was used for the first time to investigate the viscoelasticity of the Ag-modified sheets. ► The Ag-modified sheets show strong activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.