Functionalization of cotton fabric using the biogenic synthesized silver nanoparticles for enhanced dye reduction and antimicrobial efficiency: Response surface methodology

This study explores the eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Spirulina extract and their application for cotton fabrics functionalization in order to enhance the photocatalytic and antimicrobial properties. The small size of the synthesized AgNPs was confirmed using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), revealing a spherical morphology with an average size of 8.6 nm. The functionalized cotton fabric exhibited excellent catalytic activity, achieving 100 % Congo red (CR) dye reduction at pH 9, and 45 °C for 120 min. Response surface methodology (RSM) optimization using the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) demonstrated a high correlation (R² = 0.987) between process variables and catalytic performance. The recyclability of the AgNPs-coated cotton fabric was evaluated over 5 cycles, showing a slight decrease in efficiency to 81.6 % in the 5th cycle, indicating its durability and potential for repeated use. In antimicrobial evaluations, the AgNPs-coated fabric exhibited superior inhibition against multiple pathogenic microorganisms, including Acinetobacter baumannii (42 mm inhibition zone), Klebsiella pneumoniae (39 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (41 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (37 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (35 mm), and Candida albicans (34 mm). The antibacterial efficiency exceeded that of standard ciprofloxacin, highlighting the significant potential of AgNPs-coated cotton fabric in biomedical and industrial applications. These results establish AgNPs-coated cotton fabric as a promising material for wastewater treatment and antimicrobial applications, supporting sustainable advancements in nanotechnology and textile engineering.