Gamma irradiation of cotton fabrics in AgNO₃ solution for preparation of antibacterial fabrics.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with diameter about 12 nm were immobilized on the surface of cotton fabrics by γ-irradiation of fabrics in the AgNO3 chitosan solution. Effects of absorbed dose, concentration of AgNO3 solution on immobilization of the AgNPs on fabrics were investigated. The optimal dose was selected to be 13.8 kGy and the suitable concentration of AgNO3 was 1.5mM in 1% chitosan solution. The content of AgNPs on fabrics was of 1,696 ± 80 mg/kg for these conditions. The presence of AgNPs on fabrics was confirmed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and X ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs/cotton fabrics after 40 washings against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was found to be 99.99%. In addition, the AgNPs fabrics were innoxious to the skin (k=0) after 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 washings by skin-irritation testing to animal (rabbit).