UV-assisted in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles on silk fibers for antibacterial applications

To overcome the bacteria-caused degradation of silk, an ultraviolet light (UV)-assisted in situ synthesis approach is developed to immobilize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on degummed silk fibers for antibacterial applications. Results show that AgNPs with excellent crystalline structures are efficiently attached on the silk surface in an irradiation time-dependent manner. The immobilization of AgNPs could greatly delay the thermal degradation of silk. The antibacterial activity of the AgNPs-coated silk is evaluated by the growth curve of bacteria, zone of inhibition and dual staining assays, clearly demonstrating its bacterial growth inhibition ability and bactericidal effects. This work offers potentials to produce specific AgNPs-coated antimicrobial silk for various applications in textile industry.