This research deals with the synthesis of nanosized copper as colloidal solution and its application to cotton fabric. Copper nano colloids were prepared by chemical reduction of copper salt using sodium borohydride as reducing agent in presence of trisodium citrate. The size and size distribution of the particles were examined by particle size analyzer and the morphology of the synthesized particles was examined by SEM and AFM techniques. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy detected the presence of copper in the treated fabric. The results of particle size analysis showed that the average particle size varied from 60 nm to 100 nm. The nano copper treated cotton was subjected to soil burial test for the assessment of its resistance towards microbial attack. SEM images of treated fabric indicate copper nano particles are well dispersed on the surface of the specimens. The treatments of nano copper colloidal solution on cotton not only improve its antimicrobial efficiency but also influenced the tensile strength of the fabric sample positively. The treatment was found to enhance the color depth and fastness properties of direct dyed cotton fabric samples.

This work reports the engineering of textile electrodes, considered safe for humans even if worn next to skin for a longer time. Obliging this phenomenon conductive Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized from Silver Sulphate (Ag2SO4) and medicinal values enriched Ocimum Sanctum (Tulsi)leaves extract. These conductive Silver nanoparticles were loaded by spray technique on polypropylene nonwoven fabric having inbuilt antifungal characteristics, to reduce its resistivity (10Ω) for the fabrication of textile electrodes. The adequate skin-electrode impedance values were observed for the fabricated textile electrodes, viz; 1.44 MΩ–1.83 MΩ and 1.01 MΩ–1.18 MΩ, in the dry and wet state respectively. The 3-lead health monitoring electrocardiograms (ECG) were obtained on the Analogous system with the textile electrodes; dry and wet state as well as gel electrodes. The cardiograms were also taken at a smaller triangle than usual, only for the high resistance textile electrodes. The wet electrodes have executed considerably better clarity of PQR wavelets than reference gel electrodes ECG plots, and their performance was found consistent when tested after six months’ time leap. However, higher motion artifacts caused in the case of dry electrodes have resulted in distorted PQR wavelets and the tracing became worsen with increased testing time leap. This was mainly due to the encapsulation of conductive AgNPs in the air voids of the fabric, increased resistivity. The cardiogram quality has not shown peculiar benefit for a higher heart pumping pressure at the smaller triangle in either of the cases.

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