Bioactive Nano-Composite Multifilament Yarns

Physical, mechanical and antimicrobial properties of nylon 6 (polycaprolactam) doped with different amounts of silver nanoparticles were investigated in this study. Two series of filament yarns counts (20 and 70 Denier) were produced by melt spinning method with different amounts of silver nanoparticles contents (0, 0.5, 1 and 4 wt%). Elemental analysis of silver and titanium dioxide (present in polymer as delustering agent) was carried out by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods. Tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize the yarns. Antimicrobial activities were quantitatively evaluated against Escherichia Coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus Aureus (gram-positive) bacteria. The doped nylon 6 fibers showed a well dispersed distribution of silver nano-particles. Yarns with 0.5-1.0 wt% of silver nanoparticle content were found to have improved physical and mechanical properties, as well as, significant antimicrobial activity.