Future Prospects of Phytosynthesized Transition Metal Nanoparticles as Novel Functional Agents for Textiles - Advanced Materials for Agriculture, Food and Environmental Safety - page 280

10.4 Transition Metal Nanoparticles as Novel

Antimicrobial Agents for Textile Modii cations

Conventional i bers and polymers including both proteinous materials
such as wool, silk and cellulosic materials such as cotton, jute, l ax and other
i bers are susceptible to microbial attack, as they provide large surface area
and absorb moisture, which facilitates microbial growth. Contamination
by microorganisms is of great concern in a variety of areas such as medi-
cal devices, health care and hygienic applications. h ey may contribute to
transmission of diseases in hospitals. To overcome pathogenic infections
caused by textile materials, the use of antimicrobial textiles in healthcare
facilities is a new concept. h erefore, research involving antimicrobial
modii cations of textiles to improve performance or to create unprec-
edented functions is l ourishing [118-120]. As of now, various kinds of
antimicrobial agents have been tested such as quaternary ammonium
compounds, N-halamines, halogenated phenols, triclosan and polybigu-
anides [121]. Owing to the possible harmful or toxic ef ects of many chem-
ical antimicrobial agents, much of the recent research has been focused
on using natural materials for textile modii cations [120, 122]. In recent
years, several attempts have also been made by researchers and indus-
tries to utilize transition metal nanoparticles and their nanocomposites
for antimicrobial and multifunctional modii cations of textiles. h e use of
nanoparticles for antimicrobial textile modii cations have gained momen-
tum due to their recently discovered water repellence [123], antimicrobial
[124], UV-protection [125], soil resistant, anti-static, anti-infrared, l ame
retardant [126] and wrinkle resistant properties [127], in addition to their
role in the coloration of dif erent types of textile fabrics (Figure 10.3).
Globally, researchers are actively engaged in nanotechnology research
aimed at applications in the textile sector.
In view of the above benei ts that nanoparticles have on textiles, in the
past few years, several research groups worldwide have initiated work on
the application of plant-synthesized nanoparticles for various textile modi-
i cations (Table 10.2).
Sathishkumar et al. [44] reported the synthesis of silver (Ag) nanopar-
ticles from silver precursor using plant biomaterials such as Curcuma
longa tuber powder and extract. h e nanoparticles were found to be quasi-
spherical, triangular and small rod-shaped. h e application of these silver
nanoparticles on cotton fabrics was shown to impart bactericidal activ-
ity to cotton, which was retained even at er consecutive launderings. In
another study, aqueous leaf extract of the lemon tree ( Citrus limon ) was
examined to act as reducing material and encapsulating cage for the