Adopting a green method for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles on cotton cloth for antimicrobial and environmental applications

In this research, a simple and green approach towards preparation of biogenic gold nanoparticles on cotton cloth (AuNPs-CC) was developed. It was found that the hydroxyl functional groups of the cellulose macromolecules, abundantly available in cotton, slowly reduced the Au ions to nanoparticles. To help accelerate the kinetic process of AuNPs formation, a Citrus limon juice concentrate was utilized. The samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and other spectroscopic methods. The FESEM images directly showed the similar to 22 nm size AuNPs attached to the cotton cloth fibers. The XPS and XRD confirmed the formation of biogenic AuNP over CC surface. The pristine-CC and AuNPs-CC were studied for their antibacterial properties using their different strains. Moreover, AuNPs-CC was used as a catalyst in the pollutants degradation (para- and ortho-nitrophenol) in their aqueous solutions. The AuNP-CC catalyzed the p-NP and o-NP reductions with high reaction rate constants. Moreover, the Citrus limon assisted synthesized AuNP-CC has antibacterial activities for pathogenic bacteria. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.