title: Silver nanowire-functionalized cotton fabric.
abstract: In this study, general functionalization of cotton fabric by loading silver nanowires (AgNWs) on cotton surface is reported. Initially, AgNWs were synthesized by a polyol process and then were conformal coated onto individual cotton fibers through a simple "dip and dry" process. SEM images revealed a thin and uniform AgNWs coating on the cotton microfibers which was supported by a surface chemical analysis by EDX. The average electrical surface resistivity of the fabric coated with conductive network of AgNWs was measured to be 27.4 Ω/sq. Incubating the modified fabric with either Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated that the fabric had substantial antimicrobial capacity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (100% microbial death). The fabric also showed excellent UV-blocking ability with the UV protection factor of 113.14. The fluorosilane coated AgNWs-loaded fabric displayed stable superhydrophobicity with CA and SHA values of 156.2°±3.2° and 7°, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran. Electronic address: mnateghi@iauyazd.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mohammad R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nateghi
authors.affiliation: Young Researchers Club, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shateri-Khalilabad
keywords: Antibacterial; Cotton fabric; Multifunctional; Silver nanowires; Superhydrophobic; Ultraviolet-blocking