Antibacterial Finishing of Vat Dyed Cotton Fabrics with a Reactive N-Halamine

Abstract

<jats:p>To obtain antibacterial properties for colored cotton fabrics, vat dyes were chosen to dye cotton because they can avoid serious discoloration during chlorination. In this study, we synthesized a reactive <jats:italic>N</jats:italic>-halamine precursor, 4-(4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol)-6-chloro-1,3,5-triazinylamino)-benzenesulfonate (BTMPT), and coated it on colored cotton fabrics that were dyed with three different vat dyes. The optimum pH for chlorination of the treated cotton fabrics was investigated. Chlorination at pH 11 achieved a small color difference and greater than 0.2% of active chlorine loading. When challenged, the chlorinated fabrics inactivated all inoculated <jats:italic>Staphylococcus aureus</jats:italic> (Gram-positive) and <jats:italic>Escherichia coli</jats:italic> (Gram-negative) within 5 min. The treated cotton fabric had greater breaking strength than those treated with the traditional process, as well as good washing stability.</jats:p>

Preparation of Highly Effective Antibacterial Cotton Fabrics Based on Bifunctional Reactive N-Halamine

“…Therefore, the synthesis of antibacterial agents with a similar chemical structure to reactive dyes can solve the problems of complex process and poor binding force when combining antibacterial additives with fabrics. 23,24 In this study, two novel structures of N-halamine antimicrobial precursors (PT and CPT) were synthesized and applied onto cotton fabrics with antibacterial properties. 2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl-4-piperidinol was used as antibacterial component and cyanuric chloride was used as the core component of the reaction.…”

“…Therefore, the synthesis of antibacterial agents with a similar chemical structure to reactive dyes can solve the problems of complex process and poor binding force when combining antibacterial additives with fabrics. 23,24…”