Immobilization of silver and strontium oxide aluminate nanoparticles integrated into plasma‐activated cotton fabric: luminescence, superhydrophobicity, and antimicrobial activity

Abstract

Smart textiles with a multifunctional surface, such as with photoluminescence, antimicrobial, and superhydrophobic properties, are highly desirable. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were prepared and immobilized onto a cotton surface using a facile pad-dry-curing technique to introduce long-lasting antimicrobial properties. The morphology of the silver immobilized cotton fibres was explored using scanning electron microscopic images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra. The morphology of the formed Ag NPs was determined using a transmission electron microscope. Ag NPs exhibited uniform spreading and a high deposition density with a particle diameter in the range 25-55 nm. Both photoluminescence and superhydrophobic properties were explored by studying the cotton samples treated with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane nanocomposite containing lanthanide-doped strontium oxide aluminate NPs. Ultraviolet-visible light absorption, phosphorescence, and lifetime spectra were measured. The produced transparent superhydrophobic and photoluminescent film showed two absorbance bands at 273 and 367 nm and emission bands at 415 and 437 nm, as recognized by both absorption and emission spectra. Excellent antibacterial activities towards E. coli and S. aureus were monitored for the coated samples. Both fastness and colorimetric properties of Ag NPs-coated fabrics were explored.

Preparation of multifunctional long‐persistent photoluminescence cellulose fibres

“…There have been very few studies on the production of long-persistent phosphorescent cotton fibres and other cellulose substrates reported by Khattab and coworkers. [59][60][61][62][63] However, the current study reported long-persistent and RTV-ASO-Ex-3 exhibited only fluorescence as they did not display any emissive bands after directly turning off the ultraviolet source. Therefore, only samples treated with an amount of ASO equal to or higher than RTV-ASO-3 were able to introduce long-lasting phosphorescence.…”

Production of photochromic nanocomposite film via spray‐coating of rare‐earth strontium aluminate for anti‐counterfeit applications

“…The photoluminescent pigment (SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ ) was assembled using an earlier reported method. [ 48,60 ] An admixture of aluminum oxide (2 mol), europium oxide (Eu 2 O 3 ; 0.02 mol), strontium carbonate (1 mol), boric acid (0.2 mol) and dysprosium oxide (Dy 2 O 3 ; 0.03 mol), was subjected to dispersion in ethanol. The admixture was subjected to ultrasonic (30 kHz) for 30 min, heated at 90°C for over 24 h, and subjected to grinding in a planetary ball mill for 2 h. Under an atmosphere of a reduction carbon, the produced powder was exposed to sintering process at 1300°C for 3 h. The produced powder was exposed milling again and sieving to developed nanoparticles of the photoluminescent pigment (SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ ) in the range of 7 to 12 nm.…”

“…Thus, SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ is a highly valuable choice to provide fluorescent and photochromic authentication to documents without adversely influencing their inherent characteristics, such as mechanical properties, appearance and handling. [ 58–62 ]…”

Facile production of smart superhydrophobic nanocomposite for wood coating towards long‐lasting glow‐in‐the‐dark photoluminescence

“…No major effects were observed in the photoluminescence performance of the coated woods, which demonstrated optical activity almost identical to that of LASO NPs. [ 62 ]…”