Development of Durable Antibacterial Textile Fabrics for Potential Application in Healthcare Environment

Recently, efforts at development of functional textiles with antibacterial effect have accelerated, the purpose being to provide protection against airborne bio-particles and micro-organisms. Growth of microbes on surface of textile materials can be inhibited by biocidal approach and biostatic approach. This paper describes the development of a healthcare textile with durable antibacterial properties by optimizing the conventional and commercialized antimicrobial agent polybiguanide derivative-poly(hexamethylenebiguanide) (PHMB). Pad-dry-cure method was used to coat PHMB on cotton fabrics. The durability to simulated healthcare laundering of the fabric samples was evaluated in detail. Specifically, effects of detergent and washing cycles were examined. It was found that the optimum finishing condition can impart to the fabrics excellent durability for simulated healthcare washing. The fabric samples showed 100% bactericidal effect after 52 washing cycles, and 104 washings slightly reduced the bactericidal activity. Nevertheless, both simulated healthcare washing and coating treatment were found to have slightly negative influence on the hand feel and tearing strength properties of cotton fabrics.