Stability and Antibacterial Assessment of Copper Nanoparticles Dispersed on Cotton Fabrics

Copper nanoparticles were synthesized in situ on cotton fabrics yielding a copper nanoparticle deposition of 78 mg/g. Cotton fibers and ascorbic acid stabilized and prevented oxidation of the copper nanoparticles as shown by the absence of changes in absorbance wavelength, surface charge, and fabric color after storage for six months under ambient conditions. Differences in the physical properties, compared to cotton fabric, for copper alkali (a prepared intermediate) and copper nanoparticle fabrics included fabric dimensions, absorbance wavelength, and surface morphology, supporting the presence of the copper-cellulose complex. The cotton and copper alkali fabrics showed high wettability and hydrophilicity, in contrast to the hydrophobic copper nanoparticle fabrics. The copper nanoparticle fabrics had effective antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with a growth inhibition of 99%.