Novel germanium-polyamide6 fibers with negative air ions release and far-infrared radiation as well as antibacterial property

Abstract

There has been much concern about germanium because of its special atomic nuclear structure to generate negative electrons and far-infrared ray. In this study, novel germanium-polyamide6 fibers were prepared by using micro–nano structured germanium particles as a functional component via melt spinning. The effects of germanium concentration on the morphology, mechanical, negative air ion-releasing, and far-infrared radiation properties of the germanium-polyamide6 fibers were systematically investigated. Besides, the antibacterial activity and mechanism of the fibers against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were also discussed. Even though the added germanium particles negatively affected the mechanical performance of the fiber, they were distributed well in the polyamide6 substrate when the concentration was increased from 2% to 6%. Increasing the temperature and pressure induced the germanium-polyamide6 fibers to produce more negative air ions and high far-infrared emissivity. The negative air ion-releasing property of the fiber led to antibacterial performance against S. aureus with more than 99% antibacterial rate. The results confirmed the great application potential of germanium in healthcare, medical, home, and apparel textiles.

Effect of germanium particle size on the negative air ion release and antimicrobial performances of germanium–polyamide 6 composite fibers

“…In our previous work, we prepared germanium–polyamide 6 (Ge-PA6) composite fibers and discussed their NAI release and far-infrared radiation properties to investigate the feasibility of their application in fiber manufacture. 19 Our results demonstrated that NAI production was affected by the ionization degree of air molecules and the extranuclear electron activity of germanium, which was related to germanium particle size. Therefore, in this work, three types of Ge-PA6 fibers using three kinds of germanium particles with different sizes were prepared, and the effect of germanium particle size on the morphologies, mechanical properties, NAI release and antimicrobial efficiencies of the fibers were systematically analyzed.…”

“…The NAI production was analyzed using a self-assembled double-drum testing apparatus equipped with a NAI recorder, which was the same as that used in our previous work. 19 The fiber samples were woven into a knitted fabric with a size of 20 cm × 5 cm and analyzed at different temperatures and extrusion forces. The measurement was repeated three times and then averaged to get the NAI production value (the detailed measurement is given in the supplementary material).…”

Preparation and Performance of a Novel ZnO/TM/PET Composite Negative Ion Functional Fiber

“…Negative air ions (NAI) exert unique effects on the human body, such as sterilization, air freshening, and functional balance regulation, and are acclaimed as "vitamins and growth factors" in the air [1][2][3]. In an environmental evaluation system, the NAI concentration is a crucial indicator for assessing air quality [4]. However, in recent years, with the excessive exploitation and irrational utilization of natural plant resources by human beings, the NAI concentration around our bodies is getting lower and lower [5], which poses a significant threat to human health.…”

Fabrication and properties of far-infrared functional bandage

“…Zhang and Ding 19 used tourmaline powder as an additive and two-dipping and two-rolling process to develop functional cotton knitted products, it was found that the particle size of tourmaline powder is an important factor in its negative ion emission, smaller powders are more evenly distributed on the fabric and emit more negative ions. Chen et al 20 combined micro- and nanostructured germanium particles with polyamide to produce new germanium-polyamide six fibers with good negative ion release and far-infrared radiation properties as well as antibacterial properties by melt spinning. These research results provide useful references for the far-infrared functional finishing of fabrics.…”