Bio-functionalization of cotton, silk, and leather using different in-situ silver nanoparticle synthesis modules, and their antibacterial properties

We present a novel and in-situ strategy to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto cotton, leather, and silk fabrics by three different methods: a green method, a chemical method, and a composite of the green and chemical methods. The in-situ green synthesis was achieved with Aegle marmelos fruit pulp extract while the chemical synthesis utilized NaOH. To validate the green synthesis of AgNPs, various instrumental techniques were used including UV–Vis spectrophotometry, HR-TEM, FTIR, and XRD. The chemical and composite methods reduce Ag⁺ onto cotton, leather, and silk fabrics upon heating, and alkaline conditions are required for bonding to fibers; these conditions are not used in the green synthesis protocol. The composite technique used to bond AgNPs onto various fabrics provides significant color coordination, color fastness, bulk properties of the leather, and excellent antibacterial activity. In addition, FE-SEM images show the binding patterns of AgNPs on the fabric specimens.