Background, Motivation and Objective The production of nano-coated textiles is growing faster due to the wide applications for these goods. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for producing efficient materials against microbes and viruses, including protective clothing and facemasks. Additionally, the costs related to nosocomial infections push industries to develop antibacterial materials with high efficiency and low cost. In particular, microbial resistance to antibiotics is an important problem that draws attention towards antibacterial nano-products. On the other hand, the release of nanoparticles from goods and during manufacturing is a matter of concern from an environmental and human health point of view. In the present work, silver nanoparticle water dispersions were prepared by an eco-friendly and easily scalable process and deposited to fabrics by a spray-coating process. In order to identify the design options that better promote a safe-and-sustainable-by-design application, different process variables were linked to key performance indicators such as antibacterial activity and washing fastness (through abrasion and washing tests). Statement of Contribution/Methods Silver nanoparticles were synthesized at room temperature from a solution of AgNO3 in water by means of hydroxyethyl cellulose which acts also as a capping agent, according to the patented procedure (Patent WO 2016125070). The silver nanoparticle dispersions were applied to polyester fabrics by an industrial spray coating plant varying nanoparticles concentrations (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 % wt.) and flow rate (200 and 400 ml/min). The coated fabrics were tested in terms of antibacterial activity (ASTM E2149-13a) and performance durability assessed after stresses simulating the use: abrasion (according to ISO 12947-3), and washing (according to ISO 105-C06 A1S). Results/Discussion All the spray-coated fabrics showed excellent antibacterial efficacy (100%). The stabilities of the coating to washing depend on both the concentration and flow rate used in spraying. At the highest concentrations, the flux appears to be the main parameter affecting the antibacterial activity after washing with an antibacterial efficiency >90% even after 10 washing cycles. Optimal abrasion stability was assessed for the coating on all the fabrics. In fact, even for 50.000 abrasion cycles (fabric end-of-life), the antibacterial efficiency was 86% for a flow rate of 200 ml/min and 97-98% for the samples coated by the highest flow rate.

Antibacterial and Stability Tests of Silver Nanoparticle Spray-Coated Fabrics

Alessio Varesano
Primo
;
Claudia Vineis;Anna Luisa Costa;Magda Blosi;Ilaria Zanoni;Andrea Brigliadori;
2022

Abstract

Background, Motivation and Objective The production of nano-coated textiles is growing faster due to the wide applications for these goods. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for producing efficient materials against microbes and viruses, including protective clothing and facemasks. Additionally, the costs related to nosocomial infections push industries to develop antibacterial materials with high efficiency and low cost. In particular, microbial resistance to antibiotics is an important problem that draws attention towards antibacterial nano-products. On the other hand, the release of nanoparticles from goods and during manufacturing is a matter of concern from an environmental and human health point of view. In the present work, silver nanoparticle water dispersions were prepared by an eco-friendly and easily scalable process and deposited to fabrics by a spray-coating process. In order to identify the design options that better promote a safe-and-sustainable-by-design application, different process variables were linked to key performance indicators such as antibacterial activity and washing fastness (through abrasion and washing tests). Statement of Contribution/Methods Silver nanoparticles were synthesized at room temperature from a solution of AgNO3 in water by means of hydroxyethyl cellulose which acts also as a capping agent, according to the patented procedure (Patent WO 2016125070). The silver nanoparticle dispersions were applied to polyester fabrics by an industrial spray coating plant varying nanoparticles concentrations (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 % wt.) and flow rate (200 and 400 ml/min). The coated fabrics were tested in terms of antibacterial activity (ASTM E2149-13a) and performance durability assessed after stresses simulating the use: abrasion (according to ISO 12947-3), and washing (according to ISO 105-C06 A1S). Results/Discussion All the spray-coated fabrics showed excellent antibacterial efficacy (100%). The stabilities of the coating to washing depend on both the concentration and flow rate used in spraying. At the highest concentrations, the flux appears to be the main parameter affecting the antibacterial activity after washing with an antibacterial efficiency >90% even after 10 washing cycles. Optimal abrasion stability was assessed for the coating on all the fabrics. In fact, even for 50.000 abrasion cycles (fabric end-of-life), the antibacterial efficiency was 86% for a flow rate of 200 ml/min and 97-98% for the samples coated by the highest flow rate.
2022
Istituto di Sistemi e Tecnologie Industriali Intelligenti per il Manifatturiero Avanzato - STIIMA (ex ITIA) Sede Secondaria Biella
Istituto di Scienza, Tecnologia e Sostenibilità per lo Sviluppo dei Materiali Ceramici - ISSMC (ex ISTEC)
Antibacterial, Stability, Textiles, Silver Nanoparticle, Spray
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14243/511878
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