Multifunctional antibacterial and ultraviolet protective cotton cellulose developed by in situ biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles into a polysiloxane matrix mediated by sumac leaf extract

A novel facile and eco-friendly procedure for fabrication of multifunctional antibacterial and ultraviolet (UV) protective cotton surface was presented, including premodification of cellulose fibres with a polysiloxane matrix, followed by green in situ biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in the presence of sumac leaf extract as a reducing and stabilising agent. During the biosynthesis, face-centred cubic Ag NPs with an average size of 52–105 nm were generated on the cotton fibres. Increasing the concentration of the AgNO3 precursor resulted in increased concentration of Ag NPs of 50–11,000 mg/kg. The chemically modified cotton surface exhibited excellent antimicrobial and UV protection properties. The additive antibacterial activity of Ag NPs and sumac leaf extract showed biocidal activity against S. aureus even at the lowest Ag NP concentration of 50 mg/kg, and in the case of E. coli, biocidal activity was achieved at a concentration of 340 mg/kg. The presence of both Ag NPs and sumac leaf extract provided UV protection factor greater than 40, irrespective of Ag NP concentration. The increase in Ag NP concentration significantly improved the durability of the coating.