The influence of silver content on antimicrobial activity and color of cotton fabrics functionalized with Ag nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to examine the antimicrobial efficiency and color changes of cotton fabrics loaded with colloidal silver nanoparticles which were synthesized without using any stabilizer. The influence of colloidal concentration and consequently, the amount of silver deposited onto the fabric surface, on antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and fungus Candida albicans as well as laundering durability of obtained effects were studied. Although cotton fabrics loaded with silver nanoparticles from 10 ppm colloid exhibited good antimicrobial efficiency, their poor laundering durability indicated that higher concentrated colloids (50 ppm) must be applied for obtaining long-term durability. Additionally, the influence of dyeing with C.I. Direct Red 81 on antimicrobial activity of cotton fabrics loaded with silver nanoparticles as well as the influence of their presence on the color change of dyed fabrics were evaluated. Unlike color change, the antimicrobial efficiency was not affected by the order of dyeing and loading of silver nanoparticles.