Gamma irradiation induced surface modification of silk fabrics for antibacterial application

Silk fabrics were modified by a treatment of silver nitrate solution (AgNO3) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilizer then exposure to γ-irradiation to create antibacterial properties. Effects of the absorbed dose on treated fabrics were investigated. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were used to confirm the presence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the fabric. The treated fabrics should have enhanced thermal stability due to the presence of AgNPs. The treated silk fabric was examined for its antibacterial activity toward various types of bacteria. The AgNPs-treated silk fabrics demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This work opens the door for production of specific AgNPs-silk as a type of textile in the antibacterial domain.