Bio and photoactive starch/MnO₂ and starch/MnO₂/cotton hydrogel nanocomposite

Here a starch and starch hydrogel nanocomposite and superabsorbent cotton fabric was fabricated and characterized. The optimized starch hydrogel nanocomposite was synthesized by using 0.008 M potassium permanganate, 0.7 g starch and 0.6 M sodium hydroxide at 50-55 °C. potassium permanganate as a strong and inexpensive oxidizing agent were used to potentially nano cross-link the starch molecular chains and graft the starch to cellulose molecular chains along with synthesizing manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MnO₂) to further obtain antibacterial, antifungal and photocatalytic properties. The stability of products in water and the water absorption indicated the highest water content of 800% for the optimum sample. The same materials and conditions were also applied to the cotton fabric to produce a superabsorbent fabric. The simple one-step synthesis procedure, in-situ production of nanoparticles, cost-effectiveness and having desired features including photocatalytic, antibacterial properties of 93% against S. aureus, and biocompatibility make the starch hydrogel nanocomposite a suitable candidate for various applications such as agriculture, medical, textile engineering and water treatment.