Finishing of Wool Fabrics with Metals Ions and Silver Nanoparticles to Acquire Antimicrobial and UV-Protection Properties

Wool is a suitable medium for growing bacteria and fungi under favorable temperature and humidity conditions resulting in wool degradation and skin irritation or infections. Several investigations have been applied to impart antimicrobial finish of wool fabrics based on organic chemicals, but they are not environmental friendly. The present investigation aims to study the influence of treatment with metal ions of silver nitrate, cadmium chloride and copper sulphate penta hydrate as well as silver nanoparticles, by nanolayer condensation, on wool fabrics pretreated with phosphoric acid, for improvement of its properties. Wool treated with the aforementioned methods showed antimicrobial activity, UV-protection properties and improvement in conductivity. Changes in surface morphologies were also observed.