In this study, we present an unprecedented study on the
influence
of parameters such as dyeing, softening, and number of washes on the
maintenance of the antibacterial activity of polyamide fabrics containing
zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) impregnated by a simple and easy-to-scale
technique. ZnO NPs were synthesized by the sol–gel method at
different reaction times (1, 3, and 24 h), followed by surface modification
with (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and water dispersion.
The reaction times of ZnO NP synthesis were modified to evaluate their
influence on particle size and antibacterial activity after impregnation
in fabrics. The presence of ZnO NPs in fabrics was observed by different
techniques such as X-ray diffraction, infrared vibrational spectroscopy,
scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
The mean diameter values of the ZnO NPs calculated in this work from
different techniques remained at 5 nm regardless of the reaction time
revealing the efficient control of the nanoparticle size, important
for desired applications as ZnO NPs smaller than 10 nm show improved
antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of fabrics containing
ZnO NPs indicated that polyamide fabrics after impregnation with ZnO
NPs synthetized have great and similar biocidal potential against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia
coli both with and without the presence of a fabric
softener or a dye. The antibacterial behavior of the different polyamide
fabrics remained after 10 and 20 washing cycles. The results shown
in this study demonstrated the possibility of obtaining polyamide
fabrics containing ZnO NPs with the antibacterial activity resistant
to chemical treatments used by industries as a softener or a dye.
The results also reveal the maintenance of the antimicrobial activity
of fabrics after several washing cycles. The reaction time of 1 for
the production of ZnO NPs and the versatility of polyamide fabrics
allow their application in different environments to control microbial
infections.
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