Facile green silver nanoparticles synthesis to promote the antibacterial activity of cellulosic fabric

Abstract Linen fabrics, one of the oldest natural cellulose fabrics, lack the functional properties for the medical garments that can be acquired using the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Therefore, the current study presents a statistical design for one-pot green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) under UV light using the natural polysaccharide (BSEPS) produced by Bacillus subtilis sp. suppress. The Taguchi method was used to evaluate the optimal green synthesis of AgNPs, and obtain smaller nanoparticles sizes, by three effective factors, AgNO3 concentration, BSEPS concentration, and pH. In addition, the deposition of AgNPs capped with BSEPS was investigated onto linen to promote antibacterial activity, functional surface properties, and dyeability. FTIR, XRD, TEM, SEM, and EDX have confirmed the fabrication and deposition of AgNPs on linen fabrics. BSEPS/AgNPs fabricating shows positive results for antibacterial activities against E. coli and S. aureus for linen fabrics, both undyed and dyed. The results revealed that BSEPS/AgNPs played a dual role in reducing bacterial activity and increasing dyeability.