Functionalization of cotton fabric with PVP/ZnO nanoparticles for improved reactive dyeability and antibacterial activity

► The FTIR peaks 1285 cm−1, 1438 cm−1 C-N stretching vibration of PVP. ► Hexagonal structure of ZnO was confirmed by the 1 0 1 crystalline peaks. ► EDX spectrum presents zinc element in ZnO nanoparticles coated cotton fabric. ► PVP/ZnO nanoparticles coated cotton fabric exhibits very good antibacterial activity. Antibacterial activity increase with ZnO nanoparticle concentrations.