Durable antibacterial cotton fabrics based on synergy of bacterial repellence and bactericidal action

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Vol. 677; p. 132408
• Main Authors: Yao, Jun, Zheng, Sijia, Wu, Xinlei, Guo, Yingjie, Li, Yan, Mi, Yifang, Cao, Zhihai, Cui, Qinmin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 20.11.2023
• Subjects: Ag nanoparticles; Antibacterial cotton fabric; Composite films; Miniemulsion polymerization; Quaternized fluoropolymers; Synergistic antibacterial mechanism; Antibacterial cotton fabric; Miniemulsion polymerization; Ag nanoparticles; Quaternized fluoropolymers; Synergistic antibacterial mechanism; Composite films
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2023.132408

The development of textiles with durable antifouling and antibacterial properties is essential to inhibit many healthcare-associated infections and fulfill the increasing demand for public health. However, it is a challengeable task to build high-performance antibacterial surfaces on fabrics without compromise of their intrinsic serviceability in an eco-friendly way. Herein, we reported the fabrication of durable antibacterial cotton fabrics through a one-bath pad−dry−cure technology by using eco-friendly quaternized short perfluoroalkyl polymer/Ag nanocomposite particles (qf-polymer/Ag NCPs) as the finishing agents. Each fiber of the finished cotton fabrics was covered by a low surface energy thin qf-polymer/Ag composite film (CF), allowing the finished fabrics to keep the intrinsic serviceability of fabrics for a comfortable wearing feeling. The qf-polymer/Ag CF-coated cotton fabrics demonstrated a superior long-term broad-spectrum antibacterial ability against normal and multiple drug resistant bacteria. An antibacterial mechanism of the qf-polymer/Ag CF-coated cotton fabrics based on the synergism of qf-polymers, Ag NPs, and textile structure was proposed. This work provides an inspiring insight into the design and fabrication of advanced durable antibacterial surfaces on fabrics. [Display omitted] •Durable antibacterial cotton fabrics were prepared through a one-bath technology.•The eco-friendly quaternized short perfluoroalkyl polymer/Ag NCPs were used as the finishing agents.•Each fiber of the finished cotton fabrics is covered by a thin qf-polymer/Ag composite film.•The finished cotton fabrics demonstrate a durable broad-spectrum antibacterial ability.•An antibacterial mechanism of finished fabrics based on synergy of qf-polymers, Ag NPs, and textile structure is proposed.