Preparation and characterization of nanosize silver anti-bacterial nonwoven by magnetron sputtering

The nanosize silver films with thickness ranging from 0.5 nm to 3 nm were deposited on the surface of polypropylene nonwoven by magnetron sputtering technology to impart it the anti-bacterial function.The anti-bacterial effect of the nonwoven covered with nanosize silver films was measured using shake flask test,and the surface morphology of nanosize silver films was analyzed by atomic force microscope(AFM).The results showed that the anti-bacterial performance was improved gradually as film thickness increased.The AFM images revealed that silver film was formed by nanosize and homogeneous particles,assuming continuous covering state.As sputtering time prolonged,the size of nano silver increased.