Effect of chitosan silver nanoparticle coating on functional properties of Korean traditional paper

The effect of chitosan silver nanoparticle (CSN) coatings on functional properties of Korean traditional paper (Hanji) was investigated as a function of dilution. In a typical process, CSN solution was prepared from AgNO₃ and chitosan via microwave irradiation. The as-prepared CSN solution was diluted to several concentrations (10, 1, 0.1 v/v% of undiluted CSN solution) and also used as prepared for coating Hanji by a dip coating method. The mechanical, oil resistance (TAPPI T559 pm-96), air resistance (TAPPI T 460), and antibacterial properties (JIS Z 2801) against Escherichia coli were investigated. Among the various concentrations, the minimum concentration that can positively influence the mechanical, air resistance, oil resistance and antibacterial properties of Hanji was identified as 1, 1, 10, 0.1% of the pure CSN solution, respectively. These findings are significant, since an improvement for a specific property of Hanji can be achieved by coating respective concentration.