Durable antibacterial and cross-linking cotton with colloidal silver nanoparticles and butane tetracarboxylic acid without yellowing

► Simultaneous antibacterial and cross-linking of cellulose using nano Ag/BTCA. ► Stabilizing of nano Ag on cotton by using BTCA. ► Using synergistic influence of Ag/BTCA on antibacterial properties. ► Application of nano silver and BTCA in one simple processing method. ► Overcoming the yellowing effect of nanosilver on cotton.