Antimicrobial effect of nylon fiber immersed with nano-silver

The development of new products based on the immobilization of nanoparticles on fibers has recently received a growing interest from both the academic and industrial sectors. A wide range of nanoparticles and nano-structures can be immobilized on fibers, which brings new properties to the final product. In the present work, silver nanoparticle was immobilized on nylon fibers by immersed deposition method as an antimicrobial agent. Silver colloid was produced by chemical reduction of silver salt (silver nitrate) solution, in the presence of sodium citrate. Synthesis of silver colloid was carried out by using chemical reduction method at temperature of 95 and 100°C. The mixture was heated until color changed into pale yellow. UV-Vis spectrometry indicated formation of silver nanoparticles. UV-Vis analysis was reported that the absorption spectrum of silver nanoparticles showed a maximum between 420 and 450 nm. Characterization of silver nanoparticles was conducted using Fourier Transformed Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, particle size analyzer (PSA), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that silver nanoparticles forms aggregates on the surface of fiber, during deposition process. The size of aggregates varied from 19.9 ± 4.8 nm to 49.5 ± 12.5 nm. To evaluate the antimicrobial effects against microorganisms, we used representative microorganisms S. aureus. Silver nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activity reducing bacterial growth.