Nanoparticles have been used as effective platforms for treating skin wounds over the last decade. Potential therapeutic effects on wound healing have been demonstrated through metal nanoparticles, notably silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Solid state synthesis was used in this work for the preparation of AgNPs without using any external chemicals or solvents. In this current work, dextran was used as reducing agent for silver ions and in the same time as stabilizer for the produced nanoparticles. AgNPs is readily synthesized by eco-grinding artlessly for dextran powder, sodium hydroxide beads. The efficacy of dextran as a dual function for the synthesis of AgNPs was assessed by adjusting the utilized concentration of silver nitrate. Ultra-violet visible spectroscopy (Uv-vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope -dispersive X-ray (FESEM-EDX) are tools for AgNPs characterization. The resulting AgNPs were added to cotton fabrics at different concentrations. The cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of the treated fabrics were examined. The findings showed that the spherical shape was confirmed with a reasonable distribution of prepared AgNPs. In addition, the stability of AgNPs has been attained and values greater than -30 mv have been obtained. The findings also revealed that the nanoparticles were effectively distributed onto the surface of fabrics and penetrated into them. The cotton fabrics treated possess superior antimicrobial properties, which are determined by the process of disc diffusion to suppress pathogenic microbes. Furthermore, for human and non-human cell lines, the cell viability of the treated cotton fabrics has no toxicity effect. On that framework, the synthesis of AgNPs with high yield is based on solvent-free is also offered by one pot synthesis of silver nanoparticles that is eco-friendly, low cost, save effort and chemicals.

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to elucidate the mechanism and the effect of different monohydric organic solvent on the corrosion behaviour of zinc in distilled water.Design/methodology/approachThe corrosion behaviour of zinc in stagnant distilled water containing 0‐70 percent (v/v) methanol, ethanol or n‐propanol was investigated at 25‐40°C using potentiodynamic polarization technique. The activation parameters that govern zinc corrosion in mixed solvent system were also calculated.FindingsThe data revealed that, the corrosion of zinc in mixed solvents depends on two factors: the hydrolysis rates of the metal ions in alcohol‐water solutions and the chemisorption of organic solvent molecules at the metal surface. When the latter effect predominant the final result is an increase of the inhibiting effect. On the other hand, when the first factor is dominant the final result is a decrease in the protection efficiency and may exhibit an accelerating effect.Research limitations/implicationsSpecial attention should be made on using mixed water‐alcohol solvents. Methanol, 50 percent (v/v), has unexpected accelerating effect whereas 70 percent (v/v) exhibits protection efficiency of ≈58 percent.Originality/valueOwing to environmental concerns, the use of alcohol in automotive fuel increases. Therefore, it is of importance to study the corrosion behaviour of zinc in alcoholic solution.