Chitosan fabrics with synergy of silver nanoparticles and silver nanowires for enhanced conductivity and antibacterial activity

Wearable electronic textiles with high conductivity and excellent antibacterial activity are very desirable to minimize health risks and deteriorated performance of the electronic textiles in application. In this work, conductive fabrics were prepared with chitosan nonwovens with inherent antibacterial activity as the substrate. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in situ on the surface of chitosan fabric without any additional reducing agent, and silver nanowires (AgNWs) were adhered to the surface of AgNPs-coated chitosan fabrics by simple dip-coating cycles. The synergy of AgNPs and AgNWs enhances the conductivity of the fabric and the stability of AgNPs on the surface of the fabric. According to the analysis of scanning electron microscope and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra, AgNPs were reduced in situ on the fabric. With synergy of AgNPs and AgNWs, the electrical resistance of the fabric is as low as low as 0.93 Ω/sq and 0.20 Ω/sq after one and four dip-coating cycles of AgNWs respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis and inhibition zone assay showed that combination of AgNPs and AgNWs enhanced the thermal stability and antibacterial activity of chitosan fabrics. The chitosan fabrics with conductivity, thermal stability and antibacterial activity can be used in electronic textiles for different applications.