Physico-chemical Analysis of Oxygen Plasma and Enzyme Treated Cotton Fabrics

Abstract

Oxygen plasma treatment and/or cellulase enzyme treatment was carried to improve the surface properties of cotton fabrics for medical applications. The influence of Plasma (P), enzyme (E), plasma preceded by enzyme (EP) and enzyme preceded by plasma (PE) treatments on hydrophilicity of the cotton fabrics was studied using standard wicking test. The physical and chemical modification due to plasma and enzymatic treatments were analyzed using SEM and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The FTIR results revealed that the oxygen plasma has modified the surface chemically by introducing oxygen containing groups (C=O, C-O, COO -) onto the fabric surface and enzyme have hydrolyzed the cellulose molecule. The physical etching of the fabric surface was observed in SEM photographs and weight loss measurements. The modified fabrics were given antimicrobial finish and tested for its antimicrobial activity against S.aureus and E.coli using AATCC 100 test. The EP treated fabric was found to have 100% bacterial reduction. The wash durability of the finished fabrics was also assessed and the results are discussed.

Polyvinyl alcohol/starch modified cotton thread for glucose distance-based colorimetric detection

“…From FT-IR spectrum of PVA/starch modified cotton thread, the intensity of the carbonyl absorption peak was lower than an unmodified one due to the absence of carbonyl group (1724 cm -1 ). This absence occurred because pectin and wax in PVA/starch, containing carboxylic group, maybe overlaid the carbonyl group [122]. In this experiment, two different designs of the sample loading zone were prepared and compared to obtain a suitable design in the fabrication of the cotton thread-based device for distance-based colorimetric detection of glucose according to Figure 3.2.…”