Abstract: Silver-loaded calcium alginate fibers have been prepared using alginate fiber and nano-silver solution as raw materials via impregnation enrichment method. The structure of the silver-loaded calcium alginate fiber was characterized by FTIR and SEM. The moisture absorption and mechanical properties of the silver-loaded calcium alginate fiber were tested compared with the normal calcium alginate fiber. The antimicrobial properties of the silver-loaded calcium alginate fiber of different silver content were also detected. The results showed that the size of silver particles on the surface of the Ag-loaded calcium alginate fiber was about in the range of 20 ～ 50 nm. Loading silver has little impact on the moisture absorption and mechanical properties of the calcium alginate fiber. When the silver content of silver-loaded silver alginate fibers reaches 18 000 mg/kg, the antibacterial rate of C.albicans (ATCC 10231) and E.coli (ATCC 25922) is all more than 99%.

Key words: calcium alginate fiber; nano-silver; antimicrobial properties