Antimicrobial finishes properties

Further work could be carried out in order to extend the durability of the antimicrobial property by using different cross-linking agents. The fabric can be functionally enhanced by applying other surface finishes, such as to improve the handle of the fabric. The durability aspect of the antimicrobial finish can be studied over larger number of washes than those conducted during this study. The fabric can also be functionally enhanced by applying other types of finishes. 

K Takai, T Ohtsuka, Y Senda, M Nakao, K Yamamoto, J Matsuoka and Y Hind, Antibacterial properties of antimicrobial-finished textile products , Marobiol. Immunol, 2002 46(2) 75-81. 

Takai K, Ohtsuka T and Senda Y, Antibacterial properties of antimicrobial-finished textile prodncts . Microbiology and Immunology, 46 (2), 2002, pp 75-81. 

Spunbonded nonwovens are softer and more uniform than common nonwovens in addition, they have higher opacity and absorption capacity, improved isolation properties, and excellent tensile strength. Microfiber PP spunbonded nonwovens can be easily dyed, printed, flocked, sterilized, cut without linting, and, if requested, given a water-repellent, antistatic or antimicrobial finish. Applications of these products involve carpet backings, packings, interlinings, and so on. 

The biological properties of textile fibers describe their response under the influence of microorganisms. Antimicrobial fibers are often used in medical applications, socks, shoe liners, etc. antimicrobial agents are introduced directly into the fiber matrix as opposed to fiber having an antimicrobial finish applied. Biodegradable fibers are those fibers that are able to be broken down by microorganisms so that they can be returned to the environment without causing pollution. 

A great part of the variation in the final properties of a textile is adjusted for by finishing procedures, for example, wrinkle resistance, soil repellence, hydrophobic properties, flame retardance, and antimicrobial properties [69]. In many cases chemicals are added by padding/ squeezing followed by drying/fixation, for example, in a stenter. 

Despite the long list of requirements, a variety of chemical fmishes have been used to produce textiles with demonstrable antimicrobial properties. These products can be divided into two types based on the mode of attack on microbes. One type consists of chemicals that can be considered to operate by a controlled-release mechanism. The antimicrobial is slowly released from a reservoir either on the fabric surface or in the interior of the fibre. This Teaching type of antimicrobial can be very effective against microbes on the fibre surface or in the surrounding enviromnent. However, eventually the reservoir will be depleted and the finish will no longer be effective. In addition, the antimicrobial that is released to the enviromnent may interfere with other desirable microbes, such as those present in waste treatment facilities. 

One of the most widely used antimicrobial products today is 2,4,4 -trichloro-2 -hydroxydiphenyl ether, known more commonly as triclosan (Fig. 15. Id). Triclosan finds extensive use in mouthwashes, toothpastes, liquid hand soaps, deodorant products, and the like. Although it is effective against most bacteria, it has poor antifungal properties. Triclosan is also important as a textile finish, but since its water solubility is very low, aqueous application requires use of dispersing agents and binders. 

Specifications for the finished product Two specifications at release and end of shelf-life List general characteristics, specific standards tests and limits for results for the finished product must be provided Analytical test procedures described (physicochemical properties, identity of API) Quantitative determination of active, deviations, purity tests, pharmaceutical tests, colouring antimicrobial or chemical preservatives, results of validation studies, comments on the choice of routine tests and standards provided Copy of pharmacopoeia monograph and verification data Results of batch analysis (inc. date of manufacture, place of manufacture, batch size and use of batch tested) ... 

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) was used to form ionic bonds with Acrilan (acrylonitrile copolymer) woven fabrics in order to confer antimicrobial functions to the fabrics. The finished fabrics showed good efficacy against Escherichia coli and the washing durability of the antimicrobial properties was excellent. The CPC uptake on the Acrilan fibres depended on the pH during the finishing process, concentration of the CPC and the finishing temperature. High pH and temperatures were... 

Broad spectrum antimicrobial against G+ve and G-ve bacteria and fungi-tested -The extent of improvement in the imparted properties (antimicrobial/durable press] was determined by t q)e and concentration of cross-linker, chitosan molecular weight and cone. As well as finishing condition. 

A wide selection of additives for fabric finishing currently is commercially available, among which some are biobased. Additives are used in the textile industry as a processing aid, to introduce new properties (e.g., hydrophobicity, antimicrobial) or to increase the durability (e.g., abrasion resistance) of a coating or finish. 

Several smdies have been conducted on the use of plasma for water-repellent deat-ment of fabrics (Ceria and Hauser, 2010 Leroux et al., 2008 Di Mundo et al., 2009). Most of these studies have used fluorocarbon-based chemistry however, none of them attempted a dual treatment with antimicrobials. One study combined a water-repellent finish with a flame-retardant finish (Tsafack and Levalois-Griitzmacher, 2007). Moreover, a review paper entitled Non-thermal Plasma Treatment of Textiles provides a comprehensive review of how nonthermal plasma was used effectively to impart different properties to textiles such as hydrophihc, hydrophobic, and oleopho-bic properties (Morent, et al., 2008). 

In addition to familiar materials, microfibres made from different polymers offer innovative new functional textiles. Fibres or textiles finished to provide antimicrobial or temperature control properties also open new... 

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