However, cotton fabric is very prone to attack by certain microorganisms, insects, and fungi that cause functional, hygienic, and aesthetic difficulties (Chen and Burns 2006 Ramachandran et al. 2004 Daoud et al. 2005 El-Shishtawy et al. 2011 Gao and Cranston 2008 Gorensek and Recelj 2007 Ilić et al. 2009 Abo-Shosha et al. 2007). Keywords: Antimicrobial Cotton Catalyst Silver oxide Zinc oxideĬontact information: a: Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China * Corresponding author: fabric is highly popular to society because of its excellent properties such as regeneration, bio-degradation, softness, affinity to skin, and sweat-absorbing properties (Zhang et al.2009 Chen and Chiang 2008). However, the addition of the Ag 2O catalyst was able to compensate for the reduction in tensile and tearing strength, and it is considered harmless for human skin. Surface morphology of anti-microbial-treated cotton specimens showed roughened and wrinkled fabric surface with high deposition of the finishing agent, which had a lower breaking load and tearing strength resulting from side effects of the acidic treatment. A noticeable result was that the metal oxide catalyst had a significant effect on enhancing the performance. In an anti-microbial test, it was found that anti-bacterial activity increased as MF-MB chemical agents were applied to the fabrics. Anti-microbial-treated fabrics showed some new characteristic peaks in chemical structure as evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. This paper reports results of experiments where silver oxide (Ag 2O) or zinc oxide (ZnO) was used as a catalyst with the halogenated phenoxy compound (Microfresh, MF) and a binder (Microban, MB) on cotton fabrics to improve treatment effectiveness and minimize its side effects. Therefore, the demand for an anti-microbial finish as an effective means of preventing disease transmission is high it inhibits growth of or kills microorganisms on textile fabrics.
Yuen aĬellulosic fibres provide a very agreeable environment for growth of bacteria due to large surfaces with high moisture absorbability. Yin Ling Lam, a,* Chi Wai Kan, and Chun Wah M. However, the addition of the Ag2O catalyst was able to compensate for the reduction in tensile and tearing strength, and it is considered harmless for human skin.ĮFFECT OF METAL OXIDE ON ANTI-MICROBIAL FINISHING OF COTTON FABRIC This paper reports results of experiments where silver oxide (Ag2O) or zinc oxide (ZnO) was used as a catalyst with the halogenated phenoxy compound (Microfresh, MF) and a binder (Microban, MB) on cotton fabrics to improve treatment effectiveness and minimize its side effects. 7(3), 3960-3983.Ĭellulosic fibres provide a very agreeable environment for growth of bacteria due to large surfaces with high moisture absorbability. "Effect of metal oxide on anti-microbial finishing of cotton fabric," BioRes.