Nanocomposite cellulose fabrics with in situ generated silver nanoparticles by bioreduction method

In the present work, nanocomposite cellulose fabrics with in situ generated silver nanoparticles were prepared by bioreduction method employing aqueous dispersion of low-cost natural turmeric powder as a reducing agent and different concentrated aqueous AgNO ₃ as source solutions. The prepared nanocomposite cellulose fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and antibacterial tests. The nanocomposite cellulose fabrics had roughly spherical silver nanoparticles in the size range of 41–130 nm with an overall average of 78 nm. The X-ray analysis indicated the generation of both silver nanoparticles and Ag ₂ O nanoparticles in the nanocomposite cellulose fabrics. The nanocomposite cellulose fabrics retained the generated AgNPs even after repeated detergent washings. The prepared nanocomposite cellulose fabrics exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against both the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and hence can be considered as antibacterial hospital-bed materials, apparels, etc.