Investigation of antimicrobial and physical properties of polyester/cotton blended knitted fabric treated with AgNO3 and aloe vera

Abstract

The application of antimicrobial textiles is rising rapidly because of their healthcare, comfort, and hygienic attributes. This work aimed to develop an antibacterial polyester/cotton (50/50) blended knitted fabric coated with silver nitrate (AgNO3) and a natural aloe vera gel. In the present investigation, Polyester/Cotton (50/50) blended knitted fabrics have been treated by exhaust method using various concentrations of AgNO3 such as 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, and aloe vera gel 25%, 40%, and 50%, respectively. The antibacterial performance of the coated textiles has been assessed qualitatively against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella bacteria by the standard agar diffusion technique (AATCC-147 test method). Furthermore, the effects of AgNO3 and aloe vera have been investigated in terms of tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength of the coated textiles. The experimental results showed that both the Aloe vera gel and AgNO3 have significant antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella bacteria. However, the blended knitted fabric treated with aloe vera gel showed a superior antibacterial activity against both bacteria than fabric finished with AgNO3. The functional elements of aloe vera and AgNO3 in treated materials were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the surface morphology is revealed using FESEM. Finally, cost analysis shows that antimicrobial polyester/cotton blended fabrics can be developed with eco-friendly aloe vera at the cheapest cost compared to expensive AgNO3

Keywords

• Antimicrobial activity
• AgNO3
• Aloe vera
• Cotton/polyester blended knit fabric