Innovative textiles treated with TiO2-AgNPs with succinic acid as a cross-linking agent for medical uses

Abstract

Silver and titanium-silver nanoparticles have unique properties that make the textile industry progress through the high quality of textiles. Preparation of AgNPs and TiO₂-Ag core-shell nanoparticles in different concentrations (0.01% and 0.1% OWF) and applying it to cotton fabrics (Giza 88 and Giza 94) by using succinic acid 5%/SHP as a cross-linking agent. Ultra-violet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) are tools for AgNPs and TiO₂-AgNPs characterization and the treated cotton. The resulting AgNPs and TiO₂-AgNPs were added to cotton fabrics at different concentrations. The antimicrobial activities, UV protection, self-cleaning, and the treated fabrics' mechanical characteristics were investigated. Silver nanoparticles and titanium dioxide-silver nanoparticles core-shell were prepared to be used in the treatment of cotton fabrics to improve their UV protection properties, self-cleaning, elongation and strength, as well as the antimicrobial activities to use the produced textiles for medical and laboratory uses and to increase protection for medical workers taking into account the spread of infection. The results demonstrated that a suitable distribution of prepared AgNPs supported the spherical form. Additionally, AgNPs and TiO₂-AgNPs have both achieved stability, with values of (- 20.8 mV and - 30 mV, respectively). The synthesized nanoparticles spread and penetrated textiles' surfaces with efficiency. The findings demonstrated the superior UV protection value (UPF 50+) and self-cleaning capabilities of AgNPs and TiO₂-AgNPs. In the treatment with 0.01% AgNPs and TiO₂-AgNPs, the tensile strength dropped, but the mechanical characteristics were enhanced by raising the concentration to 0.1%. The results of this investigation demonstrated that the cotton fabric treated with TiO₂-AgNPs exhibited superior general characteristics when compared to the sample treated only with AgNPs.

Keywords: Antimicrobial; Core-shell; Self-cleaning; Silver nanoparticles; Textiles and cotton fabrics; Titanium dioxide nanoparticles; UV protection.