Authors: Associate Professor N.Chandanaa, Assistant Professor Vijaya Ushasreeb
Abstract: Nanocomposite cotton fabrics (NCCFs) embedded with in situ generated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully prepared using an eco‑friendly green synthesis approach. Lemon leaf extract was employed as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent to functionalize cotton fabrics and facilitate the formation of AgNPs within the cotton matrix. The incorporation of phytochemicals from the extract enabled effective reduction of silver ions and strong adhesion of nanoparticles onto the cellulose fibers. The synthesized NCCFs were characterized using X‑ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X‑ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). XRD results confirmed the presence of crystalline silver nanoparticles along with cellulose structure, while SEM analysis revealed uniformly distributed spherical AgNPs with sizes increasing with higher precursor concentration. EDX analysis verified the elemental composition of silver within the fabric. FTIR studies indicated that the fundamental structure of cotton remained intact, with interactions between AgNPs and functional groups occurring primarily through electrostatic forces. TGA results showed a slight reduction in thermal stability of NCCFs compared to the untreated cotton matrix. The antibacterial activity of NCCFs was evaluated against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria using the agar diffusion method. The prepared nanocomposites exhibited significant antibacterial performance, with inhibition zones ranging from 11 to 25 mm, whereas untreated cotton fabrics showed no antibacterial activity.
