Surface Characteristics and Physical Properties of Cotton Fabric for Patient Clothing Material through a Chitosan/Nanosilver Colloidal Solution

Abstract

Hospital patient clothing material was treated with a mixture of chitosan in order to enhance functionality, such as the durability and dimensional stability of the cotton fabric used. Chitosan is a natural polymer with excellent biocompatibility, however there is a deteriorating adherence efficiency. The addition of a nanosilver colloidal solution in accordance with a prescribed ratio can further increase the performance of chitosan. Changes in the structural characteristics and physical properties of the chitosan/nanosilver treated fabric were observed in a comparison with fabric treated only with chitosan. The add-on ratio increased when the mixing ratio of nanosilver colloidal solution was higher; however, the crystalline structure of the treated fabric remains similar. In the case of CH3/NS1 treated fabric (where the mixing ratio of chitosan and nanosilver solution was 3:1) the K/S value, whiteness index, wet tensile strength, and wrinkle recovery angle were superior. The dimension stability, pilling resistance, and abrasion resistance of the fabric treated with a mixed solution increased in comparison to the fabric treated only with chitosan. The chitosan/nanosilver treated cotton fabric used for patient clothing material has excellent physical properties.