Modification of Waste Leather Trimming with in Situ Generated Silver Nanoparticles by One Step Method

Waste leather trimming (WLT) was modified by in situ generation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver oxide nanoparticles (Ag2ONPs) by one step thermal assisted method. The modified WLT was analyzed by FTIR, SEM, EDS, XRD and TGA techniques and antibacterial analysis. The generated silver based nanoparticles had a mean size of 93 nm. The FTIR spectra revealed no major changes between WLT and modified WLT. The XRD studies indicated additional peaks in the diffractogram of modified WLT which belonged to AgNPs and Ag2ONPs. The unmodified WLT had four inflection temperatures at 89, 303, 454, and 785°C while these values for the modified WLT were 84, 211, 305, and 328°C indicating a slight lowering of thermal stability due to the catalytic activity of the generated silver based nanoparticles. Further, the modified WLT formed the inhibition zones against E.coli, P.aeruinosa, S.aeureus and B.lichinomonas bacteria with diameters of 33, 36, 29, and 30 mm respectively. Hence, the modified WLT can be considered as filler for making low cost antibacterial biocomposites

Nanocomposite Cotton Fabrics with In Situ Formed Gold Nanoparticles Using Citrus Lemon Leaf Extract as Reducing Agent

Using citrus lemon leaf extract and different concentrated gold chloride source solutions, the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were in situ formed in cotton fabrics. The nanocomposite cotton fabrics (NCCFs) were analyzed by SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray, thermal and antibacterial tests. The AuNPs formed in NCCFs were with size between 50 and 120 nm. The x- ray test indicated the formation of AuNPs. The thermal properties of NCCFs were slightly lower than the matrix. The NCCFs showed good antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative and hence can be considered for potential antibacterial medical fabrics for hospital bed materials, aprons, face/nose masks, etc

Mechanical Property and Morphological Analysis of Polyester Composites Reinforced with Cyperus pangorei Fibers

In the present work, polyester composites reinforced with a newly identified Cyperus pangorei fiber (CPF) were developed by compression moulding technique. The effects of varying fiber content and fiber length on the mechanical properties of the Cyperus pangorei fiber reinforced polyester composites (CPFCs) such as tensile, flexural, and impact properties were studied. Mechanical strength of the CPFCs increased with fiber length up to 40 mm beyond which a reverse trend was observed. Based on the test results, it was concluded that the critical fiber length and the optimum fiber weight percentage were 40 mm and 40 wt% respectively. The maximum increase of 164% and 117% were found for the tensile and flexural strength of the composite with 40 mm fiber length and 40 wt% fiber content, respectively. On the other hand, a 64% increase in impact strength was noticed for the optimum case. The increasing contact surface between the fiber and the polyester matrix in optimum condition can restrict the probability of fiber pullout and in turn can make the composite carry more load. The chemical structure of CPF was also analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum. The morphological analysis of fractured samples was performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to understand the interfacial bonding between CPFs and polyester matrix. The optimal composite can be a suitable alternative in the field of structural applications in construction and automobile industries