ANTIMICROBIAL FINISHING OF TEXTILES FOR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

Edward Rybicki, Edyta Matyjas-Zgondek, Anna Bacciarelli, Marek Kozicki, Zdzisaw Moyszek, Institute of Architecture of Textiles, Technical University of Lodz, ul. eromskiego 116, 90-924 d

Abstract: Main goals of the project within the 6th Framework Programme - Digital Fast Patterned Microdisposal of Fluids for Multifunctional Protective Textile are shown in this paper. Also, the results of antimicrobial finishing of textiles using silver nanoparticles, obtained by classical as well as advanced finishing technologies are presented.
Key words: 6th Framework Programme, Digitex, antimicrobial finishing of textiles, silver nanoparticles, screen-printing, padding-squeezing, ink-jet printing.

About the project

DIGITEX is a research and innovation project which attempts to develop and implement new ways of optimal fabric preparation for clothing production. The initiative of the European textile and clothing industry is based on cooperation of the best companies working in textile and clothing industry and research centers. The proposal is relevant to NMP Theme 3.4.4.4. and focuses on a new functionalization technology for protective textiles in a work environment. [1]

Project objectives The primary objective is to realise a generic functionalization technology for reaching multifunctional protective textiles on the basis of localized and multilayered compounds. The secondary objective is to use low temperature to dispose sensitive compounds (nano and life science based), offering new protection strategies using fewer chemicals and improving comfort. [2]

Technology breakthrough Goals of the project assume technology breakthrough in textiles which enable new functionalities: mass-customization and launching new product services systems integrating the supply chain. It will contribute to the change of textiles industry. Both knowledge and service intensive industry will lead to our products being more competitive versus imported commodity products from Asia. It also sets new standards in personal protective equipment by enabling functionalities that empower the worker (sensorics and control release) customize functionalities to specific uses and take into account gender, age and specific risk groups. Results of research can lead the industry out of water based processes, therefore achieving considerable savings in water, chemicals, waste of water and use of materials. The project has also the potential of setting new standards in sustainable production and radical reduction of contaminants ending in the environment or accumulated in living organisms. The targeted breakthrough is to develop a novel ECOfriendly flexible digital process aiming at ondemand micro-disposing small quantities of multi-functional fluids over textile substrates in a continuous process in atmospheric conditions and room temperature in order to replace the wet and high temperature conventional process. The proposed innovative textile finishing production chain is based on the novel concept of on-demand manufacturing of multifunctional protective textiles. Starting

from the electronic purchase order sent by the protective garments producer, a specifically developed design tool which integrates the knowledge-base generated in the three research modules, automatically sets-up and drives the DIGITEX plant for the manufacturing of the requested finished textiles, taking care of the textile warehouse and functional fluids warehouse management as well as of the delivery phase supervision. An advanced monitoring system will control the quality of disposing while proper tracers will follow the products in its life-cycle. [2]

Figure 1. ECOfriendly flexible digital process of finishing of textiles. [1]

Our interests Our Department decided to develop range of antibacterial finishings of textiles. The most important antibacterial substances used in textiles finishing are quaternary ammonium salts, chloro-ether phenols and organic-silicones. Unfortunately many of these agents are toxic. Due to this fact we tried to find non-toxic disinfectant. Because of their proved relatively harmless influence on human and environment, silver nanoparticles were chosen. Nano-silver particles have extremely large relative surface area, thus increase their contact with bacteria or fungi, and vastly improve their bactericidal and fungicidal effectiveness. Nano-Ag is very reactive with proteins, when contacting bacteria or fungi it will inhibit cell growth, because it affects a cellular metabolism. It also suppresses respiration, the basal metabolism of the electron transfer system, and transport of the substrate into the microbial cell membrane. Furthermore, it inhibits the multiplication and growth of those bacteria and fungi, which cause infection. [2]

Our results Antibacterial finished textiles were made using the screen printing, padding-squeezing techniques and ink-jet printing. Experiments proved that this kind of nano silver deposition causes high washing durability and low migration of silver nanoparticles from finished fabric. The shape and distribution of nanoparticles on the fibres were determined with the scanning electron microscopy SEM. Analysis of the silver-finished cotton SEM images proved that the silver particles were partly evenly distributed on the fibre surface but dozen of silver particles were aggregated into a cluster.

DLS - Dynamic light scattering was used to determine the size distribution profile of silver nanoparticles. Based on this analysis the size range of nanosilver particles on the fabric are in the range 5-200 nm. Agar Diffusion Test was used to estimate a biological activity of treated fabrics. Two strains of bacteria: Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) were used for this purpose. These finishing systems permit to obtain antibacterial silver finished textiles characterised by excellent washing fastness, that show antibacterial activity even after 50 washing cycles, as estimated by the ICP-OES method. [3]

References:
1. http://www.digitex-eu.com
2. 6 FP, DIGITEX Contract IP026740-2 Multifunctional Technical Textiles for Construction, Medical Applicationos and Protective Clothing, 3. E. Matyjas-Zgondek, A. Bacciarelli, E. Rybicki, M.I. Szynkowska, M. Koodziejczyk "Antibacterial Properties of Silver-Finished Textiles Fibres and Textile in Eastern Europe, 5/2008 (70) p. 101-107

Acknowledgment :
This work was supported by the 6 EU Framework Integrated Project DIGITEX IP026740-2 Digital programmed jetting of fluids for multifunctional protective textiles.
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