Antibacterial activity of nano-SiO2 antibacterial agent grafted on wool surface

A composite antibacterial agent of Ag-loaded nano-SiO2 was prepared by adsorption methodology and grafted on wool surface. The antibacterial performance of the antibacterial wool fibers was tested for different concentration of composite antibacterial agent, contact time with germs and washing time. The content of the composite antibacterial agent grafted on wool fibers was easily controlled by varying the antibacterial agent concentration in the grafting process. The results showed that antibacterial activity increased with the increasing concentration of the composite antibacterial agent. The antibacterial wool fibers grafted 4.3% of composite antibacterial agent was highly effective in killing test bacteria and had excellent water-resisting property. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.