Stabilized nanosilver loaded nylon knitted fabric using BTCA without yellowing

In this study, silver nanoparticles stabilized on the nylon knitted fabric by padding process using 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) and sodium hypophosphite (SHP) without considerable yellowing. This cross-linking combination also dimensionally stabilized the nylon knitted fabric. The SEM images showed the distribution and size of nanosilver within 34 nm. Also, the presence of nanosilver on the fabrics confirmed by EDX and XRD spectrums. The antimicrobial test performed on the treated fabrics against Staphylococcus aureus as a Gram positive and Escherichia coli as a Gram negative bacterium using pour plate test method. A bacterium growth decrease above 96% achieved with 200 ppm nanosilver/BTCA/SHP with standing up to 20 successive rinses. The L*a*b* values had little changes upon increasing the concentration of silver nanoparticles. However the color changes were negligible and the fabric was still white. Moreover, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, dimensional stability, and water droplet adsorption time as well as statistical analysis of the results investigated and reported.