Simultaneous pigment printing and antibacterial functionalization of wool and wool polyester blend fabrics

Abstract EN

Background and problem In recent years, there has been a growing need to develop cost-effective, value added, eco-safe, functional and durable textile products.

Special focus has been given to the implementation of emerging technologies such as bio-, nano- and/or plasma technologies in textile wet processes to cope with the ever-increasing environmental, health and quality concerns.

Taking these facts into account, much of our R&D efforts have been focused on developing functionalized textile products with desirable, durable functional and improved coloration properties using proper functional finishing and/or printing formulations and a facile single–stage process.

The main task and results we report the technical feasibility of upgrading both the functional properties and pigment coloration of wool and wool/polyester blended fabrics in one-step via incorporation of certain functional additives namely PEG-600, and triclosan derivative (Ruco® BAC MED) into the solvent-free formulations, followed by screen printing and microwave-fixation to obtain antibacterial functionalized wool and wool/polyester pigment prints Results obtained signify that : 1- The improvement in the depth of the obtained pigment prints along with a remarkable enhancement in their antibacterial activity through incorporation of PEG-600 (20g/kg) and triclosan derivatives (Ruco® BAC MED) (20g/kg) into free-solvent pigment pastes followed by flat screen printing and microwave fixation.

2- The imparted functional properties, i.

e.

antibacterial, K/S and fastness, are governed by the nature of the reactive additives, the type of substrate and the kind of pigment colorant 3- The imparted antibacterial activity of the loaded bio-active agents follows the decreasing order: G+ve (S.

aureus) > G-ve (E.

coli)