Preparation of an Antimicrobial Cotton Fabric Using Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Stabilized by Alovera Gel

Abstract

Nano-finishing is one of the most promising candidate, which is increasing significantly now a day in textile fields, which are ranging from the protective finishing such as; smart textiles, Hygiene textiles, antiballistic, bulletproof vest. To functionalized finishing such as; water repellent, wrinkle resistance clothing, and self-cleaning. However, unfortunately through laundry, exposure to sunlight, or mechanical abrasion, textiles generally lose between 5% and 20% of their weight during their use phase. Therefore, it can be assumed that nanomaterials integrated into, functionalized, or applied onto, surface of textiles will enter to the environment when it release from textile surface during washing or mechanical abrasion. Which makes the nano-finishing of textile valueless and generates environmental hazards. In order to enhanced the attached of nanoparticles to surface of fabric, in this work Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized on the surface of cotton fabric via a sol-gel method, in presence of Alovera and citric acid as selective natural cross-linking agents. In order to providing antimicrobial activity and enhancing physical properties. Surface morphology and chemical composition of finished and unfinished fabric have been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron diffraction (EDs) and Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR). Antibacterial properties was evaluated against (Gram-negative) Ecoli and (Gram-positive) Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The results showed that ZnO nanoparticles was successfully synthesizes on fiber surface, in the present of Alovera and Citric acid as crosslinking agent. And it’s distributed homogenously and non-homogenously in the fabric surface, in case of used Alovera capping agent and non homogenies with citric acid. Antibacterial tests showed that the ZnO-coated fabric with Alovera and Citric crosslinking possesses good bacteriostatic activity against to staphylococcus and Ecoli. Physical properties shrinkage, crease recovery angle (CRA), abrasion and tensile test were investigated by using Shirley (CRA), crokmerter and belistone instruments, the results were showed excellent enhancement in physical properties. Abrasion test was used to ensure that wether ZnO nanoparticles were released on surface of tested fabric or not. To confirm that, SEM and EDS used to investigate if there is any Zn elements has been detected in abrasion sample (bottom fabric surface). The result showed there is no Zn element, which means the attachment of ZnO nanoparticles to the cotton fabric was improved significantly due to the presence of crosslinking agents (Alovera, and Citric).