Colored and Functional Silver Nanoparticle−Wool Fiber Composites

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles utilizing the surface plasmon resonance effect of silver have been used to color merino wool fibers as well as imparting antimicrobial and antistatic properties to them to produce a novel silver nanoparticle-wool composite material. This is accomplished by the reduction of silver ions in solution by trisodium citrate (TSC) in the presence of merino wool fibers or fabrics. The silver metal nanoparticles simultaneously bind to the amino acids of the keratin protein in the wool fibers using TSC as the linker. The colors of the resulting merino wool-silver nanoparticle composites range from yellow/brown to red/brown and then to brown/black, because of the surface plasmon resonance effect of silver, and are tuned by controlling the reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles to give the required particle size on the fiber surface. In addition to the surface plasmon resonance optical effects, the silver nanoparticle-wool composites exhibit effective antimicrobial activity, thus inhibiting the growth of microbes and also an increase in the electrical conductivity, imparting antistatic properties to the fibers. Therefore, silver nanoparticles function as a simultaneous colorant and antimicrobial and antistatic agent for wool. Chemical and physical characterizations of the silver nanoparticle-merino wool composite materials have been carried out using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction, atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, direct-current electrical conductivity measurements, wash-fast and rub-fast tests, and antimicrobial tests.

One-Pot Synthesis of Biocompatible Silver Nanoparticle Composites from Cellulose and Keratin: Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] For example, anchoring AgNPs to methacrylic acid copolymer beads has proven to be highly effective against a few bacteria. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] However, the antimicrobial properties of all reported AgNP-encapsulated composites were tested for only a very few bacteria, and, more importantly, their biocompatibility has not been determined. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]…”

“…[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Furthermore, KER is known to possess advantages for wound care, tissue reconstruction, cell seeding and diffusion, and drug delivery. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Unfortunately, in spite of its unique properties, KER has relatively poor mechanical properties, and as a consequence, it was not possible to fully exploit the unique properties of KER for various applications. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] To increase the structural strength of KER-based materials, attempts have been made to cross-link KER chains with a cross-linking agent or introduce functional groups to its amino acid residues via chemical reaction(s).…”

Microwave-assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Fraxinus excelsior leaf extract and its antioxidant assay

“…They possess an excellent biocompatibility and low toxicity (Pauksch et al 2014). Silver nanoparticles have been documented in the field of biomedical (Chaloupka et al 2010), drug delivery (Prow et al 2011), food industries (Chaudhry and Castle 2011), agriculture (Nair et al 2010), textile industries (Kelly and Johnston 2011), water treatment (Dankovich and Gray 2011), antioxidant (Niraimathi et al 2013), antimicrobial (Sankar et al 2013), anti-cancer (Boca et al 2011), cosmetics (Jain et al 2009), ointments (Murphy 2008) and larvicides (Roopan et al 2013).…”

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Cosmos Sulphureus and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties

“…Among them, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted because of their individual properties, like good electrical conductivity, chemical stability, catalytic and antibacterial activity [2]. Application of silver nanoparticles includes clothing [3], food industry [4], agriculture [5], textile industry [6], water treatment [7] and therapeutic agents for diagnosing chronic diseases [8]. Silver is a better substitute compared to the other metals as it has very less or no toxic effect and also they are widely used as bactericide in catheters, burn wounds and dental work [9,10].…”