An ecofriendly route to enhance the antibacterial and textural properties of cotton fabrics using herbal nanoparticles from Azadirachta indica (neem)

Application of nanoparticles in textile industry has recently risen owing to the possibility of incorporating desirable properties such as fascinating colors, enhanced stability, antibacterial activity and UV protection to the coated fabrics. In this study, natural herbal nanoparticles of different sizes were prepared from shade dried Azadirachta indica plant leaves using ball milling technique without additives. The obtained nanoparticles with different sizes were fully characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,UV-visible spectrophotometry, Dynamic light scattering, Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and antimicrobial investigations. Herbal nanoparticles-chitosan nanocomposites were prepared and coated on cotton fabrics employing pad-dry cure method. The evaluation of antibacterial activity and UV-protection properties of the prepared herbal nanoparticles and their composites were obtained using antimicrobial and UV-visible analysis. Size, shape and morphological characteristics of herbal nanocomposites coated on fabrics were analyzed and correlated with un-coated fabrics. The antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles and their composites coated on cotton fabrics were analyzed against bacterial pathogens namely Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. UV-resistance and washing durability of the coated fabrics were also established. In addition, physical properties of the coated fabrics such as air permeability, crease recovery, tensile strength, tearing strength, thickness, bursting strength and GSM were also investigated. Understanding the functional properties of herbal nanoparticles coated on fabrics highlights their potential applications in protective clothing with enhanced antimicrobial and UV-protection properties. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.