A green deposition method of silver nanoparticles on textiles and their antifungal activity

This study aims to propose a new green method for the deposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on textiles without the use of chemical compounds as binders. The deposition of AgNPs on textiles was achieved by immersing textiles in silver nitrate solution before adding with a natural reducing agent obtained from the extraction of Mikania micrantha. Plasmonic properties of the synthesized AgNPs were characterized using Ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy and surface morphology of textiles was identified using the field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). In addition, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was also employed for the characterization. Inhibition zone measurement was performed for evaluating the antifungal capability of textiles attached with AgNPs. This study showed that the attachment of AgNPs to several textile types (cotton, cotton-polyester, silk, and fiber) without the use of binders or other chemical compounds had been successfully achieved. Moreover, all textiles attached with AgNP exhibited effective antifungal activity.