Perdurable antimicrobial and ultraviolet-blocking cotton fabric by one-step eco-friendly strategy

Abstract

Cotton fabric (CF) is closely related to human life, while its inherent porous structure makes it unable to effectively shield the strong ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and its superior hygroscopicity provides a favorable environment for microbes, resulting in microbes’ proliferation on CF. The UV irradiation and microbes’ proliferation affect the service life of CF and harm seriously human health. Therefore, developing antimicrobial and UV-blocking fabrics is for the well-being of human. Herein, a novel reactive monochlorotriazine terminated quaternary ammonium salt and benzophenone derivative (BCQ) was synthesized to covalently bind onto CF to fabricate an antimicrobial and UV-blocking CF without compromising its intrinsic physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The antimicrobial rates of CF finished with 10.0 mg/mL BCQ were higher than 99.99 % against both E.coli and S.aureus, and its antimicrobial rates still were greater than 96 % even after 50 washes, while the cell survival rate was more than 99.5 %. Additionally, the UVA and UVB values were less than 0.5 %, and the UPF value CF finished with 50.0 mg/mL BCQ were up to 210.92. Therefore, we provide a strategy for developing an antimicrobial and UV-blocking CF.