Structure-driven immature cotton nanocomposite fibers for ESKAPE pathogen control

Transforming underutilized, low-quality immature cotton fibers into functional materials provides a sustainable strategy for enhancing economic value. In this study, the intrinsic structural features of immature cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fibers—typically considered as defects in textile processing—were exploited for the in situ synthesis of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (8.1 ± 2.7 nm; 2.2 ± 0.6 wt%). The structure-driven reducing and stabilizing capacities of the fibers facilitated nanoparticle formation without the need for external chemical reagents. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of crystalline Ag nanoparticles embedded within the fiber matrix, while the native cellulose Iβ crystalline structure remained intact. Hydroentangled nonwoven fabrics fabricated with a 10 wt% blend of the resulting Ag-cotton nanocomposite fibers exhibited strong antibacterial activity, achieving >4 log reductions against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species (ESKAPE pathogens).