Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Enhanced Antibacterial Silk Face Covering

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extracts as reducing agents has recently attracted interest as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach. In this study, biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were coated on cotton fabric as an antimicrobial outer middle layer in a silk face mask. The AgNPs were synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). A solution of 100 ppm AgNPs was coated on cotton fabric by the exhaustion process and quantified according to the procedures of AATCC 100–1999. Top performance characteristics of the barrier face covering were determined according to ASTM F3502–2021. The AgNPs were spherical with particle size ranging 35–88 nm. SEM images of AgNP-coated cotton fabrics showed good particle dispersion that decreased after washing, with 99% reduction in viable E. coli and S. aureus after 30 washing cycles. The developed silk face covering also offered sufficient sub-micron particle filtration efficiency and airflow resistance as level II performance under ASTM classification.