Simultaneous synthesis of nano silver and activation of polyester producing higher tensile strength aminohydroxylated fiber with antibacterial and hydrophilic properties

Abstract

An aminohydroxylated polyester fabric with durable antibacterial activity, enhanced hydrophilicity and improved mechanical properties was prepared in one single step process. In the proposed method, synthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out along with the aminohydrolysis of polyester fabric using triethanolamine (TEA), acting as reducing and stabilizing agent. The morphology, crystal phase, and chemical structure of the fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The tensile properties and water spreading times of the treated fabrics were also measured. Moreover, central composite design based on response surface methodology was applied to study the influence of silver nitrate and TEA concentrations. It was found that silver nanoparticles with an average crystal size of 17 nm were synthesized on the fabrics treated at 130 C. The distribution of Ag nanoparticles on the fiber surface was confirmed by SEM and EDX. Interestingly, the tensile properties of the treated samples were enhanced in comparison with the untreated fabric. Findings suggest the potential of triethanolamine in the simultaneous aminohydrolysis of polyester fabric and reduction of silver ions into silver nanoparticles, preparing a fabric with excellent antibacterial efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, higher tensile strength and improved hydrophilicity.

Aminolysis of polyethylene terephthalate surface along with in situ synthesis and stabilizing ZnO nanoparticles using triethanolamine optimized with response surface methodology

“…Thus, the strong adherence of the nanoparticles to the fibers occurred through the proposed single step method. Cross-linking effect along with insitu synthesis of nanoparticles on different fabrics has also been previously reported in literatures [2,13]. …”

“…There is no noticeable difference between the three spectra and no new peaks can be seen due to the low amount of applied ZnO and TEA, and limitation detection of FTIR instrument. Only there is a difference between the intensity of characteristic peaks ascribed to -OH at 3433 cm − 1 for control-aminolyzed and ZnO treated sample presumably due to the introduction of hydroxyl groups to the surface after aminolysis by TEA, forming the terminal groups of -OH on the surface of polyester [13].…”

“…The extent of polyester aminolysis is varied depending on amine functionality from triethylenetetramine reacted near the surface developing surface cracks without delamination to ethylene diamine with the highest amidation degree [11]. Recently use of alkanolamines has attracted more attention due to the simultaneous existence of both hydroxyl (-OH) and amino (-NH 2 , -NHR, and -NR 2 ) functional groups on an alkane backbone [13]. Aminolysis of polyester with alkanolamines leads to oligoesters containing hydroxyl as terminal groups [13].…”

“…Recently use of alkanolamines has attracted more attention due to the simultaneous existence of both hydroxyl (-OH) and amino (-NH 2 , -NHR, and -NR 2 ) functional groups on an alkane backbone [13]. Aminolysis of polyester with alkanolamines leads to oligoesters containing hydroxyl as terminal groups [13].…”

“…Polyester aminolysis is regarded as the nucleophilic reaction of an amine with the ester bonds along polymer chains, resulting in polymer-chain scission [13,14]. Through aminolysis the polymer chains are broken producing amide and hydroxyl groups, improving comfort, wettability and dyability [12].…”