Methods for Modification of Cotton Fabrics with Gelatin – Glutaraldehyde and ZnO Nanoparticles

Cotton fabrics have good water absorption properties, air permeability, non-toxicity, but microorganisms easily damage them. Collagen is a commonly used biomaterial that has properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, but with poor mechanical properties. Glutaraldehyde is the main cross-linking agent for collagen and characterized by antimicrobial properties. ZnO nanoparticles exhibiting antibacterial, antifungal, anticorrosive and protective properties against UV, is widely applicable in medicine. The combination of all these components in one biocomposite with potential antimicrobial properties and healing effect can find application in medical practice. In this study, an attempt was made to improve the properties of cotton fabric by impregnating it with gelatin hydrogel cross-linked with glutaraldehyde and containing ZnO nanoparticles. Three methods of modification were applied, varying the mixing regimes of the components and the conditions. The composite materials were investigated by means of SEM, FTIR, and fluorescence analysis. The morphological analyzes of the samples modified by different methods show that the spherical particles of ZnO have changed into a flower-like structures; the particles are covered by the collagen film; and dispersed and agglomerated in certain places. FTIR analyzes prove interactions between the organic and inorganic components. This is also confirmed by the observed fluorescent properties, which are of different intensity. All these observations suggest good antibacterial properties that will be the subject of future research.