Antibacterial nylon fiber

A simple and convenient method of polymer modification is to introduce an additive. This method is most effectively utilized in the modification of nylon fibers. For antistatic and conductive properties, hygroscopic polymeric materials and conductive materials such as carbon and metal powders are incorporated, respectively. For flame retardant properties, antimony trioxide is added. To impart ultraviolet shielding properties, ultraviolet absorbents are included and inoiganic particles of metal such as silver and zeolite containing metal ions are used for antibacterial and odor preventing properties. 

An antibacterial nylon filament yam was also prepared by composite spinning with antibacterial zeolite into which silver ions have been replaced. Toyobo[103] prepared a non-elution type antibacterial and odor preventing nylon fiber in which a quaternary ammonium salt is bonded to the fiber via organosilicon. 

Choi et al. reported y-irradiation-induced preparation of Ag/poly(ester) and Ag/nylon nanocomposites (Choi et al. 2003b). Ag NPs were dispersed into poly(ester) or nylon via condensation of polymerization and those nanocomposites were expected to be used as antibacterial fibers or electromagnetic inference (EMI) shielding materials. Ag NPs existed as aggregates in the poly(ester) matrix, whereas the Ag NPs were dispersed in the nylon matrix. 

In recent years, research on polymer-metal nanoeomposites and their properties has attracted considerable attention due to their potential applications in catalysts, electronics and non-linear optics. Polymer-metal composites consist of polymer and metal particles on the surface or interior (core) of the polymer matrix." They exhibit various properties depending on the type of metal and polymer, especially the former. These composites not only combine the advantageous properties of polymers and metals but also exhibit many new characteristics that single-phase materials do not have. Precious metals such as silver and gold have been studied most extensively among polymer-metal nanoeomposites." Many polymer-metal nanoeomposites have been prepared in one step with y-irradiation in an aqueous solution. Choi et al. reported on polyester-silver and nylon-silver nanoeomposites prepared by the dispersion of silver nanoparticles, which were prepared by y-irradiation, on to polyester and nylon during condensation polymerization to obtain antibacterial fibers." It was found that the silver nanoparticles aggregated in the polyester matrix, whereas the silver nanoparticles dramatically dispersed in the nylon matrix. 

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