UV-protectleg and antibacterial finishing of cotton knits

Abstract

This article deals with enhancing the UV- protecting properties as well as the antibacterial activity of knitted cotton fabrics against two kinds of bacteria: grampositive bacteria (G -ve), i.e., Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and gram-negative bacteria (G -ve), i.e., Escherichia coli (E. coli). Results showed that the extent of improvement in the UPF values are determined by: the fabric structure, i.e., Interlock > Pique > Parasol, pretreatment history, i.e., gray > scoured > bleached, type of softening agent, incorporation of the UV-absorber in the softening bath as well as sequence of addition, in addition to the nature of the deposited metal-oxide, i.e., Cu > Zr > Zn Al ≈ none. On the other hand, the antibacterial activities of the treated substrates against G +ve and G -ve bacteria are outstandingly improved by using the proper: fabric structure, i.e., Parasol > Interlock > Pique, state of the untreated substrate, i.e., bleached > gray, finishing additives and regime, i.e., soft finishing (using polysiloxame softener-Adasil® SM) and UV-protecting (using UV-absorber, Tinofast® CEL) in one step > Tinofast® CEL-finish > Adasil® SM-flnish > full-bleaching, as well as deposited metal oxide, i.e., Zn > Cu > Zr > Al > none. Combined soft-finishing and UV-cutting as well as in situ deposition of proper metal oxides, onto and/or within the knitted substrates, options exhibited both an excellent UV-protection and prominent antibacterial activities. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.