Tutorial review on the processing and performance of fabrics with antipathogenic inorganic agents

Abstract

Functionalized textiles have been increasingly used for enhancing antimicrobial or antiviral (antipathogenic) action. Those pathogens can cause recurring diseases by direct or indirect transmission. Particularly, airborne microorganisms may cause respiratory diseases or skin infections like allergies and acne and the use of inorganic agents such as metal and metal oxides has proven effective in antipathogen applications. This review is a tutorial on how to obtain functional fabric with processes easily applied for industrial scale. Also, this paper summarizes relevant textiles and respective incorporated inorganic agents, including their antipathogenic mechanism of action. In addition, the processing methods and functional finishing, on a laboratory and industrial scale, to obtain a functional textile are shown. Characterization techniques, including antipathogenic activity and durability, mechanical properties, safety, and environmental issues, are presented. Challenges and perspectives on the broader use of antipathogenic fabrics are discussed. Graphical abstract

Sono-processes: Emerging systems and their applicability within the (bio-)medical field

“…This one-step reaction resulted in a uniform coating of silver NPs on the corresponding substrate and showed for all three textiles antibacterial properties against E.coli and S.aureus. Further examples of various NP-coated textiles with antibacterial properties using US irradiation have been established [123] , [124] , [125] .…”

Chitosan-treated cotton yarns: Impact of application method on antimicrobial activity

“…The eff ectiveness and effi ciency of production processes for obtaining textiles with antimicrobial activity, concerning the choice of antimicrobial agents and textiles, have advantages and disadvantages [6,7]. Obtaining antimicrobial textiles is possible through an antimicrobial agent introduced into the polymer melt during polymer extrusion and fi ber formation or through the surface of the textile material being functionalized with an antimicrobial agent [8].…”

“…To obtain fi bers with good antimicrobial activity, the antimicrobial agent must be evenly distributed in the mass of the fi ber along its entire length. For this purpose, it is necessary to apply an agent that will have good solubility in the polymer or to disperse it in the polymer [8]. The antimicrobial activity of the textile obtained in this way is the result of the possibility of the antimicrobial agent being released gradually into the skin and thus acting to prevent the growth and development of pathogenic bacteria.…”