In situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles onto cotton fibres modified with plasma treatment and acrylic acid grafting

Silver nanoparticles were synthesised on the modified cotton fibres using an in situ method. Acrylic acid was grafted on the surface of cotton using plasma technology as a means to enhance the loading efficiency of nanoparticles. The loading efficiency of silver nanoparticles into the cotton fabric was examined by an atomic absorption spectrometer. The surface of the fibres was characterised by low-voltage scanning electron microscopy and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The cotton fabrics loaded with Ag nanoparticles were examined by thermogravimetric analysis. In addition, the antibacterial activity of loaded samples was determined according to the AATCC test method 147-2004. Grafting of acrylic acid on cotton fibre leads to increase in the loading efficiency of silver nanoparticles and this sample showed the highest antibacterial activity.