In the present study, cotton fabric nanocomposites with in situ generated copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were prepared using Cassia alata leaf extract as reducing agent. The prepared cotton fabric nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscoy (SEM) techniques. The cotton fabric nanocomposites exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli bacteria. These nanocomposites retained the antibacterial activity even after 15 washes indicating the generation of permanent CuNPs in them. The antibacterial activity of the nanocomposites prepared even in sewerage water was also studied. The obtained results suggest that the cotton fabric nanocomposites with in situ generated CuNPs can be considered for medical and water treatment applications.
Keywords: generation; Antibacterial activity; copper nanoparticles; cotton fabric; water filter.