Synthesis of a Hein–Schiff base compound and its antibacterial activity on cotton fabrics

Abstract

This work aimed to obtain a highly efficient and durable antimicrobial agent on cotton fabrics by synthesizing a new Schiff base compound called (E)-1-((4-(allyloxy) benzyl) amino) imidazolidine-2,4-dione (AOBYID). Cotton fabrics were finished with Schiff base compound via alkali-free thiol–ene click chemistry. Chlorine were subsequently added to the nitrogen-containing groups on the grafted cotton fabrics through chlorination with sodium hypochlorite. NMR, FT–IR, Raman, and SEM results showed that the target compound (AOBYID) was successfully synthesized and effectively processed on cotton fabrics. Antibacterial test results showed that the antibacterial rates of the treated fabrics after 1 min of contact reached 97.83% and 94.83% for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, and remained above 90% after 24 h contact. In addition, the treated fabrics could retain approximately 79% of the initial chlorine content after 30 days storage, and 60% of the chlorine could be regenerated after 12 h of UV light. These findings revealed the high efficiency and durability of the antibacterial activity of treated cotton fabrics.