title: Multifunctionalization of wool fabrics through nanoparticles: A chemical route towards smart textiles.
abstract: A new approach towards the design of smart nanotextiles with innovative properties is presented. Silica (SiO2), titania (TiO2), and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), were synthesized without the use of any toxic organic compound and then were used, alone and in combination, to functionalize wool fabrics. Electrostatic forces, influenced by a low pH of the solutions, allowed the interactions between wool fabrics and NPs, enabling a robust functionalization. This was verified by X-ray microfluorescence and visualized by scanning electron microscopy measurements. The antibacterial Ag NPs were embedded in a polymer, alginic acid, to reduce the possible side effect due to their direct contact with the skin. SiO2 NPs, instead, were used to change the hydrophilicity of wool while the functionalization with TiO2 NPs was chosen to provide self-cleaning properties. The antibacterial activity of the fabrics was studied against the bacteria Escherichia coli, while the hydrophilicity of wool was studied by contact angle measurements and the self-cleaning properties were tested by estimating the visible discoloring of a dye stain under sunlight irradiation. Interestingly the combination of three different types of NPs provided the best results. SiO2 and Ag made the wool superhydrophilic providing at the same time the best antibacterial properties, while fabrics with titania (alone or in combination) were hydrophobic and showed the best self-cleaning properties.
authors.affiliation: Nucleo di Ricerca sulla Desertificazione, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100 Sassari, Italy. Electronic address: mura.stefania@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mura
authors.affiliation: Nucleo di Ricerca sulla Desertificazione, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100 Sassari, Italy; DADU, Dipartimento di Architettura Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Palazzo del Pou Salit, Piazza Duomo 6, 07041 Alghero, SS, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greppi
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Scienza dei Materiali e Nanotecnologie, CR-INSTM, Università di Sassari, Palazzo Pou Salit, Piazza Duomo 6, 07041 Alghero, SS, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malfatti
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Scienza dei Materiali e Nanotecnologie, CR-INSTM, Università di Sassari, Palazzo Pou Salit, Piazza Duomo 6, 07041 Alghero, SS, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lasio
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Laboratory of Nanomedicine, University of Sassari, c/o Porto Conte Ricerche, Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero, SS, Italy.
authors.forename: Vanna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sanna
authors.affiliation: Bioecopest srl, Technology Park of Sardinia, Loc. Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero, SS, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mura
authors.affiliation: CNR - Istituto Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari Traversa La Crucca, 3 - Località Baldinca, 07040 Li Punti, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marceddu
authors.affiliation: DADU, Dipartimento di Architettura Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Palazzo del Pou Salit, Piazza Duomo 6, 07041 Alghero, SS, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lugliè
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000737:chemistry; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry; D055672:Static Electricity; D013784:Textiles; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014935:Wool
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; C009495:titanium dioxide; D012834:Silver; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D014025:Titanium; D008751:Methylene Blue
keywords: Nanoparticles; Nanotextiles; Silica; Silver; Titania; Wool