Comparative study of copper ion complex bamboo pulp and cotton knitted fabrics. Part I: copper ion contents and antibacterial performance

Abstract

The paper mainly discusses the antibacterial performance of bamboo pulp and cotton fabrics which were treated with NaOH solution and copper ammonia solution. SEM, ICP-OES, and agar diffusion plate method were used to investigate the existence of copper ions and analyze the influence of treatment parameters on the copper ion content and antibacterial performance. The results show that there is significant difference for all the properties between bamboo pulp and cotton fabrics. The alkali treatment, concentration, and time period all have significant influence on the copper ion contents and antibacterial performance, and they have different influences on the bamboo pulp fabrics and cotton fabrics. The antibacterial performance not only depends on the copper ion content on the fabrics but also relate to the release action. The release ability of copper ions in bamboo fabrics is better than that in cotton fabrics. Alkali treatment makes the complex of copper ion more stable and the release rate slower.