Investigation on functionalization of cotton and viscose fabrics with AgNWs

A study on the functionalization of cotton and viscose fabrics to achieve bifunctional conductive and antibacterial properties was carried out; 0.5 wt% AgNW ethanolic colloid was prepared, and fabrics were dipped and dried in the colloid 1, 10 and 15 times. After one dipping, both fabrics remained nonconductive, and the surface resistance (Rs) of cotton was 4.9 × 1010 and of viscose 3.6 × 1011 Ω. Excellent conductivity properties were shown in cotton fabric after 10 dippings (20 Ω) and in viscose fabric after 15 dippings (46 Ω). The Ag content of these fabrics was 53.3 and 52.3% (SEM/EDX analysis) and 13.77 and 14.12% (TG/DTG analysis) for cotton and viscose, respectively. XRD analysis revealed the presence of AgNWs on the fabric surface. FTIR/ATR, Raman and TG analysis confirmed the effects of modifications. The AgNW layers on both fabric surfaces were resistant to abrasion. After 50 washes of the modified cotton fabric, Rs increased from 20 to 195 Ω. The AgNW layer was stable and the fabric still highly conductive. However, viscose fabric became nonconductive after two washes, and the surface resistance increased from 46 to 1.4 × 1011 Ω. The tensile strength of cotton modified with AgNWs increased by about 49% and for viscose decreased by about 27%. AgNW-modified cotton fabric showed a significant antibacterial effect against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae bacteria. The presented method is more suitable for cotton because the modified cotton fabric retains the mechanical and conductive properties even after many washes.