Development of silver immobilized biofunctional PET Fabric for antimicrobial wound dressing

Wound dressings were prepared by using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric as the base material. The functionality of the fabric was enhanced by alkaline hydrolysis. The hydrolysis of the fabric led to the formation of carboxyl groups on its surface. FTIR and contact angle measurements were carried out to monitor the chemical and physical changes on the fabric surface. Silver was immobilized on the fabric as the bioactive component. The fabric was characterized by EDX in mapping mode to observe distribution of silver on the fabric. PEG 600 used as carrier for silver ions to be loaded of the material surface. Antimicrobial studies of the fabric was carried out by zone of inhibition and colony reduction methods against E. coli and S. aureus. Bacterial adhesion was completely inhibited in silver immobilized samples. On the basis of observations from mechanical analysis, EDX, carboxyl content estimation, and antibacterial resistance we concluded that material was the most suitable sample to develop wound dressing.