Durable Antimicrobial Behaviour from Silver-Graphene Coated Medical Textile Composites

Abstract

Silver nanoparticle (AgNP) and AgNP/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite impregnated medical grade polyviscose textile pads were formed using a facile, surface-mediated wet chemical solution-dipping process, without further annealing. Surfaces were sequentially treated in situ with a sodium borohydride (NaBH4) reducing agent, prior to formation, deposition, and fixation of Ag nanostructures and/or rGO nanosheets throughout porous non-woven (i.e., randomly interwoven) fibrous scaffolds. There was no need for stabilising agent use. The surface morphology of the treated fabrics and the reaction mechanism were characterised by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), and scanning electron microscopic (SEM). XRD and EDS confirmed the presence of pure-phase metallic silver. Variation of reducing agent concentration allowed control over characteristic plasmon absorption of AgNP while SEM imaging, EDS, and DLS confirmed the presence of and dispersion of Ag particles, with smaller agglomerates existing with concurrent rGO use, which also coincided with enhanced AgNP loading. The composites demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against the clinically relevant gram-negative Escherichia coli (a key causative bacterial agent of healthcare-associated infections; HAIs). The best antibacterial rate achieved for treated substrates was 100% with only a slight decrease (to 90.1%) after 12 equivalent laundering cycles of standard washing. Investigation of silver ion release behaviours through inductively coupled plasmon optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and laundering durability tests showed that AgNP adhesion was aided by the presence of the rGO host matrix allowing for robust immobilisation of silver nanostructures with relatively high stability, which offered a rapid, convenient, scalable route to conformal NP–decorated and nanocomposite soft matter coatings.

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on the Microstructure, Non-Isothermal Crystallization Behavior and Antibacterial Activity of Polyoxymethylene

“…Ag ions can interact with the cell membranes, nucleic acids and proteins of the bacteria via ligand exchange reactions to exert their activity [26]. Additionally, the direct interaction of Ag nanoparticles with the surface of bacterial cells also plays an important role in their antibacterial activity [45].…”

Role of graphene in biosensor and protective textile against viruses

“…A medical grade polyviscose textile pads were formed by impregnation of Ag nanoparticle decorated rGO nanocomposite through wet chemical solution dipping process. It is also reported that rGO increasing the stability of Ag nanoparticles onto textile fabric substrates which enhanced rinse-reuse capabilities and antimicrobial properties [40] . Many companies have claimed that graphene can be used to make gloves, masks and gowns for medical staff.…”

Antiviral Textiles: A Review on their types and Significance

“…By leaching test, it has been reported that even after accelerated washing cycles the novel composites exhibited high silver loading and high bactericidal activity over six hours of treatment. It has been reported that reduced graphene oxide -silver nanoparticles showed nearly 100% antibacterial activity against Ecoli [41].…”