Production of Antibacterial Wool Fiber Through the Clean Synthesis of Palladium Nanoparticles (PdNPs) by Crocus sativus L. Stamen Extract

Abstract

The use of natural products and clean methods for the production of nanoparticles and their application in the manufacture of multi-purpose textiles can significantly reduce the harmful environmental effects of hazardous materials. In response to environmental warnings, a clean synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) was carried out using materials extracted from saffron Stamen (SS) as a plant waste to produce antibacterial wool yarn. For this purpose, natural dyes were extracted from SS using an ultrasound technique to synthesize PdNPs in different ratios of SS extract solution (SSE) and palladium acetate (Pd) solution. PdNPs were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV–visible spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results showed that the diameter of PdNPs in the SSE: Pd ratio of 1:2 was 23.9 nm. In addition, dyed and antibacterial wool fibers were made with different proportions of Pd and SSE solutions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM)–energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and FT-IR data showed that PdNPs with an average particle size of 22.5 nm were deposited on the wool fibers. Also, XRD data confirms the deposition of palladium particles on the thread surface. Calorimetric data show a dyeing and color change from yellow to dark brown with excellent dye absorption on the fiber (K/S = 6.72). The dyed samples had moderate to good washing ratings (3–4) and excellent light fastness (6–7). Also, the presence of PdNPs significantly reduced the growth of bacteria on dyed wool fibers. Therefore, the percentage of bacteria reduction for SSE-dyed samples was 38%, which increased to more than 99% with the addition of Pd at an SSE:Pd ratio of 1:2. The results of this research showed that SSE can be used as an efficient, sustainable, and green candidate for the conventional chemical synthesis of PdNPs to produce colored and antibacterial wool yarns.