Nano-zirconium oxide and nano-silver oxide/cotton gauze fabrics for antimicrobial and wound healing acceleration

Nano-zirconium-oxide (nano-Zr-oxide) and nano-silver-oxide (nano-Ag-oxide) were in situ synthesized and deposited into cotton gauze fabrics by reduction of zirconium oxychloride or silver nitrate solutions, in the presence of fabric samples using sodium hydroxide-hydrogen peroxide mixture solution at pH 9.5. The resulted homogenous distribution of nano-Zr-oxide and nano-Ag-oxide inside the fabric were characterized by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for fabric cross-section. The formed nano-Zr-oxide and nano-Ag-oxide in the prepared solution was characterized by TM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV visible spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity of prepared samples was evaluated using reduction rate % in bacterial count (RBC %) against gram-negative bacteria ( Salmonella typhimurium) and gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureous), while antifungal activity of prepared samples was evaluated according to clear inhibition zone diameter against filamentous fungus ( Candida albicans), as well as nonfilamentous fungus ( Aspergillus flavus) the data show that, the reduction rate of colony count of treated fabric samples with nano-silver oxide against gram positive and gram negative bacteria were 99.9% and 97% respectively. Gave 99.9% and 97% reduction in colony count against gram-positive and gram-negative, espectively, while sample fabrics treated with nano-Zr-oxide gave 98% and 95% reduction rate in colony count against gram-positive and gram-negative, respectively. Antifungal activity of fabric treated with nano-silver oxide was greater than that of fabrics treated with nano-Zr-oxide. Skin irritation test of treated fabric samples was evaluated and the data show that, there is no skin irritation was observed on the skin of tested rabbit. Skin wound of tested rabbit was healed after 4 days sample application. All prepared samples were durable to wash and killed the bacteria even after 30 laundering wash cycles.