Nano-Structured Copper Oxide-Cotton Fibers: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications

Copper oxide nanoparticles were prepared and subsequently deposited onto the surface of cotton fiber by ultrasonic irradiation. The structure and morphology of the coated and un-coated cottons were examined by XRD and SEM/EDX analysis. These methods revealed that CuO nanoparticles are crystalline and corresponds to the monoclinic phase, and that these nanoparticles are physically adsorbed onto the cotton fiber surface. They have an average size of 10 nm, and the physical and chemical properties of the treated cotton fibers are markedly different from those of the untreated cotton fibers. The CuO-cotton fiber nano-composite tested against Escherichia coli (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) cultures showed a significant antimicrobial activity, whereas its analogous CuS-coated cotton material formed by the reaction CuO coated cotton fibers with H2S, showed no activity.