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Characterization of silver release from commercially available functional (nano)textiles
C Lorenz1, L Windler, N von Goetz
1Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Chemosphere
|June 9, 2012
Summary
Washing antimicrobial textiles releases silver into wastewater, with varying forms and amounts depending on the textile type. Silver chloride (AgCl) was the most common chemical form found in washwater.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Textile Engineering
Background:
- Silver and nano-silver are utilized in antimicrobial textiles.
- Textile washing is a known pathway for silver release into wastewater.
- Understanding silver release from textiles is crucial for environmental risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate silver release from commercial silver-textiles during washing.
- To characterize the size and form of released silver particles.
- To assess the impact of washing on textile antimicrobial functionality.
Main Methods:
- Washing and rinsing of eight commercial silver-textiles.
- Size-fractionation and electron microscopy of released silver.
- Antimicrobial activity testing before and after washing.
Main Results:
- Four textiles released detectable silver; 34-80% were particles >450nm.
- Released silver forms included Ti/Si-AgCl nanocomposites, AgCl, nanosilver sulfide, and metallic nano-Ag.
- Nano-silver textiles exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity; some textiles showed no antibacterial effect post-washing.
Conclusions:
- Silver-textile washing releases diverse silver forms, with AgCl being most frequent.
- Release amount and particle characteristics vary significantly among textile types.
- Antimicrobial efficacy can be compromised by washing, highlighting the need for careful material selection and use.
