Optimized room-temperature interfibrillar synthesis of silver nanoparticles using cotton cellulose as reductant for plant pathogen-resistant protective textiles

Authors: KASHEM, MD NAYEEM HASAN - Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Nam, Sunghyun; Hillyer, Matthew; HASSAN, FAQRUL - Oak Ridge National Laboratory; JOSHI, SANJAY - Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Zimmerman, Tia; Bruni, Gillian; King, Holly; Hinchliffe, Doug; Fang, David

Submitted to: Cleaner Engineering and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2026
Publication Date: 3/2/2026
Citation: Kashem, M., Nam, S., Hillyer, M.B., Hassan, F., Joshi, S., Zimmerman, T.E., Bruni, G.O., King, H.A., Hinchliffe, D.J., Fang, D.D. 2026. Optimized room-temperature interfibrillar synthesis of silver nanoparticles using cotton cellulose as reductant for plant pathogen-resistant protective textiles. Cleaner Engineering and Technology. 31:Aricle 101178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2026.101178.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2026.101178

Interpretive Summary: Silver nanoparticle-treated cotton fabrics are gaining attention as effective antimicrobial textiles, yet conventional production methods often rely on hazardous chemicals, consume significant energy, and result in poor durability after washing. This study presents a novel, eco-friendly alternative: a straightforward, one-step process conducted at room temperature using only sodium hydroxide and silver nitrate. Remarkably, the cotton itself serves as a natural reducing agent, facilitating the formation of uniformly distributed silver nanoparticles (about 14.7 in diameter) both on the surface and within the fiber matrix. With an impressive nanoparticle loading of 22,9 ± 3.0 mg/kg, the fabric’s performance is further enhanced through sequential least squares optimization. The treated cotton retains over 55% of its silver content after 50 machine laundering cycles and exhibits near-total antibacterial activity against a range of plant-related and hospital-derived pathogens. This method offers a cost-effective, sustainable, and highly durable solution.

Technical Abstract: Silver nanoparticle-treated textiles are widely recognized for their antimicrobial performance, yet conventional nanoparticle synthesis methods often involve toxic reducing agents, complex multi-step procedures, high energy consumption, as well as poor wash durability due to surface-based treatments. In this study, we present a streamlined, one-pot synthesis of silver nanoparticle-incorporated cotton at room temperature using only sodium hydroxide and silver nitrate with cotton cellulose serving as the intrinsic reducing agent. This approach enables a highly uniform distribution of spherical silver nanoparticles (about 14.7 ± 6.6 nm in diameter) across both the fiber surface and interfibrillar regions, achieving a high loading of 22,9 ± 3.0 mg/kg as quantified by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Optimization via sequential least squares programming refined reaction time and sodium hydroxide concentration for enhanced nanoparticle formation. The resulting fabric retained over 55% of its silver content after 50 machine laundering cycles and exhibited potent antibacterial efficacy—completely inhibiting Pantoea agglomerans and Bacillus subtilis, and achieving 99.997% and >99.9997% inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. These results underscore the promise of this cost-effective, scalable, and durable method for producing antimicrobial textiles suited for protective applications in agriculture and healthcare.