Antibacterial cotton fabric prepared by a “grafting to” strategy using a QAC copolymer

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have outstanding antimicrobial effect, but covalent immobilization of plentiful QAC onto cotton fiber surface to realize a durable function remains challenge. Herein, quaternary monomer, [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (DMC) was co-polymerized with methyl acrylate (MA) prepare an antibacterial copolymer, poly(DMC-co-MA). To graft the copolymer improved grafting efficiency, fabric treated using carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) establish amino-functionalized first. This treatment allows amidation reactions between amino groups and pendant ester in poly(DMC-co-MA) take place, achieving anionic polymer coating surfaces remarkably effect. Characterization results indicated that when DMC/MA monomer ratio 100:1, resulting endows modified capability inactivates all Escherichia coli (E. coli) Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Even after 50 laundering cycles, more than 98.0% rate could still be retained. Moreover, wearing comfort properties such as softness, water absorption air permeability finishing fabrics been insignificantly changed by comparing untreated fabric.