Antimicrobial cationic dyes. Part 3: simultaneous dyeing and antimicrobial finishing of acrylic fabrics

The antimicrobial cationic dyes were employed in dyeing acrylic fabrics. The effects of dyeing time, dyeing concentration and dyeing temperature were investigated, and the incorporated dye molecules on acrylics were analyzed. It was found that these functional dyes could be effectively introduced to acrylic fibers to achieve simultaneous coloration and functional finishing effects. All the treated fabrics exhibited antimicrobial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The washing durability of antimicrobial functions on the treated fabrics was further studied. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.