Abstract:

A method was developed for the preparation of chitosan staple fibres containing silver nanoparticles. An aqueous colloidal solution of PVA-encapsulated metallic silver with a particle size of 50-60 nm was admixed to the chitosan-containing spinning solution. From the mixed spinning solution, the fibre was spun by a wet method. The mechanical, electrical, antibacterial, morphological and structural properties of the silver-containing chitosan fibre are highlighted. With a silver content greater than 51 mg/kg, the fibre possessed antibacterial activity. The silver content did not deteriorate the tenacity of the fibre or cause a change in the molecular mass distribution. The impact of spinning conditions on the morphological properties was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). X-ray radiography (WAXS) showed the influence of spinning conditions on the supermolecular structure of the fibre.