Enhanced colour, hydrophobicity, UV radiation absorption and antistatic properties of wool fabric multi-functionalised with silver nanoparticles

In this study, multifunctional wool fabrics were produced by treating them with silver (Ag) nanoparticles in a single-stage treatment using trisodium citrate (TSC) as a reducing and capping agent. The effects of treatment parameters, such as Ag+ concentration, pH, temperature and time on the colour strength, antibacterial and antistatic properties, and UV radiation absorption by the treated fabric were carried out. It was found that the wool fabric treated with Ag nanoparticles formed by using Ag+ concentration of less than 1.11% on the weight of wool fibres produced very pale shade. The colour strength and UV radiation absorption capacity of the treated wool fibres increased with an increase in the concentration of Ag+, and Ag+ to citrate anion ratio, and also with a decrease in the treatment pH. The treatment temperature had a great effect on the colour strength of the treated fabrics and the size of Ag nanoparticles. The colour strength increased from 1.59 for the fabric treated at 55 °C to 7.74 for the fabric treated at 95 °C. The surface resistance of the treated wool fibres decreased with an increase in the concentration of Ag+, while the colour fastness to washing decreased for the fabric treated at a higher pH. The treated fibres showed excellent antibacterial activity, UV radiation absorption capacity, and also very good antistatic properties along with an excellent colourfastness to washing. Moreover, the developed treatment is highly durable to washing as after 20 washes the treated fibres lost their colour and antibacterial activity only marginally.