Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles by PNP and Its Application on the Functional Finishing of Cotton Fabrics

This paper presents a facile and novel approach for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles in aqueous solution based on a one-step reaction between a modified hyperbranched polymer (PNP) and zinc nitrate. The prepared ZnO nanoparticles polymeric hybrid was characterized and its antibacterial activity was investigated. The results indicated that the ZnO nanoparticles have an average size about 6 nm and well dispersed in aqueous medium. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of them was 20 ppm and 60 ppm against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. For the functional finishing of cotton fabrics by these ZnO nanoparticles, a microwave assisted in situ fabrication method was employed. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements confirmed that the ZnO nanoparticles in situ generated in cotton fabrics successfully. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic investigation demonstrated that the ZnO nanoparticles were fixed on the cotton fibers by PNP. The treated cotton fabrics exhibited excellent UV protective properties and antibacterial activities. When ZnO content of cotton fabric was 1.49 %, the UPF value of treated cotton fabric exceeded 125 and the bacterial reduction rate against S. aureus and E. colt reached 99.97 % and 98.40 %, respectively.