The Role of Brown Algae as a Capping Agent in the Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles to Enhance the Antibacterial Activities of Cotton Fabrics

Research was conducted on the role of brown algae as a capping agent in the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, the characteristics of ZnO nanoparticles, and the effect of the addition of ZnO nanoparticles and/or silane compounds on antibacterial and antifungal activities. The synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles involved green synthesis, and then nanoparticles were characterized using UV/VIS/NIR, ATR-FTIR, XRD, PSA, and SEM-EDS, followed by the in situ deposition of ZnO nanoparticles on cotton fabrics and the addition of silane compounds. The characterization of modified and unmodified cotton fabrics and antibacterial and antifungal activity tests were carried out using the disc diffusion method through measurements of the diameter of the inhibition zone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Malassezia furfur. The characterization of ZnO nanoparticles showed absorption at a wavelength of 357 nm; the number of waves was 450 cm−1; the diffraction peak occurred at an angle of 36.14°; the crystal size was 15.35 nm; there was a heterogeneous particle distribution; the particle size was in the ranges of 1.74–706 nm (PSA) and 45–297 nm (SEM); and an irregular particle shape was noted. The results showed that the best antibacterial and antifungal activity was obtained in cotton + HDTMS + ZnO nanoparticles (K8) and cotton + ZnO nanoparticles+HDTMS/MTMS (K4).