Optimization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for Enhanced Yield and Antimicrobial Efficacy in Cotton

Abstract

This study employs Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to examine the relationships between synthesis parameters and functional properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle-coated cotton textiles. Five samples (CT1–CT5) were prepared with varying precursor concentrations (0.1–0.5 M), reaction pH (7–11), reaction and calcination temperatures (60–100 °C; 400–600 °C), and ZnO loading (1–3% w/v). The fabrics were tested for antimicrobial efficacy (zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration), wash durability, tensile strength, and cytocompatibility. PCA showed that 92.4% of the variance was explained by two components. PC1 (79.8%) represented a synthesis intensity gradient, with all parameters covarying positively and correlating with improved performance. PC2 (12.6%) represented a trade-off axis, highlighting an inverse relationship between wash durability and antimicrobial/mechanical properties. Results indicate that higher synthesis intensities (CT4, CT5) yield superior multifunctionality, providing a quantitative framework for optimizing antimicrobial textiles.