Abstract
Abstract Antimicrobial finishing is increasingly used in textile products to increase their functionality. Antimicrobial properties became extremely important during the COVID-19 situation. The main problems faced by antimicrobial finishing are nontoxicity and durability (wash-resistance) of antibacterial activity. Also, it is important to determine whether the antimicrobial finishing changes comfort properties, such as air permeability. This paper deals with the durability of antimicrobial treatment, that is, resistance to washing, and effect on the structural changes that may have influence on the comfort properties, such as permeability to air. Knits of various raw compositions were antimicrobial-treated with the new commercial antimicrobial product, Si Bactericidal (Smart Inovation, Portugal). After the antimicrobial treatment, knitted specimens were washed 50 times and changes in their structural parameters, air permeability, and antimicrobial activity were measured. It was found that the mentioned antimicrobial treatment gives very good antimicrobial activity to the treated fabric and is wash-resistant and long-lasting. Also, it does not change dimensions and permeability to air of the treated fabrics with some exceptions of cotton-based knitted structures.
Highlights
Nowadays, antimicrobial textile is one of the fastest growing areas of functional textiles
The aim of the present work was to determine the influence of antimicrobial textile finishing using “Si Bactericidal” on durability of the antimicrobial activity and on changes of structural parameters and air permeability of the treated knitted fabrics
Growth of Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus bacteria on specimens knitted from different raw materials (100% woollen yarns, blended woollen/acrylic yarns in different percentage, 100% acrylic, 100% cotton yarns and blended cotton/acrylic yarns) was tested after antimicrobial treatment and after different number of washing cycles (1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50)
Summary
Antimicrobial textile is one of the fastest growing areas of functional textiles. It has become extremely important these days, when faced with this difficult global COVID-19 problem. Due to their hydrophobicity, are more resistant to microorganism growth than natural fibers. Natural fibers and various fiber combinations are prone to microorganism growth and bacteria colonization due to the textile surface characteristics. With increasing demand from consumers, the aim is to protect the fibers as well as the human body from microbial and bacterial growth [1]. The application of antimicrobial treatment to textiles can prevent bacterial growth. A suitable temperature, moisture, and receptive surface provide the perfect condition for the growth of microorganisms on textile that is in contact with the human skin. The growth of microorganisms on textiles inflicts a range of unwanted impacts on the textile itself, and on the wearer: these include unpleasant odors, discoloration in the fabric, reduction of fabric mechanical strength, and so on [2]
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