Novel precursors for green synthesis and application of silver nanoparticles in the realm of cotton finishing

Innovative nano-silver colloidal solutions could be achieved using a newly prepared copolymer namely, β-cyclodextrin grafted with poly acrylic acid [βCD-g-PAA] using potassium persulphate as initiator. The copolymer was then used as reductant and stabilizer in the preparation of silver nanoparticles. The latter were monitored via color and UV-visible spectral analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine size and size distribution of these nanoparticles. Such monitoring and evaluation revealed that reduction of Ag+ to Ag0, coalesces of the latter to form cluster and the size of this cluster depends on the type and concentration of alkali, the graft yield of the copolymer, the concentrations of both silver nitrate and copolymer and the means of heating: thermal, ultrasonic or microwave. Thermal and ultrasonic methods are by far more effective than the microwave. The silver nanoparticles colloidal solution(s) was applied to cotton fabric. The innovative formulation in question results in fabrics with excellent and durable antibacterial properties.