Durable Antimicrobial Cotton Fabrics Prepared by Oxygen Plasma Treatment and Adsorption of Guanidine Salts

Cotton fabrics with durable antimicrobial ability are in high demand in the market. However, most current methods for preparing such fabrics involve complex processes and the use of various organic solvents, resulting in high energy consumption. In this study, a simpler and more environmentally friendly method using oxygen plasma treatment to enhance the surface properties of cotton fabric was proposed. By introducing the antimicrobial agent poly(hexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride) (PHMG) through impregnation, to obtain durable antimicrobial cotton fabrics. Surface analysis confirmed the successful adsorption of PHMG on the cotton fabrics. The antimicrobial cotton fabrics demonstrated better sweat stain management and a strong bactericidal effect against E. coli and S. aureus. Plasma-treated antibacterial cotton fabrics demonstrate a remarkable ability to retain strong antibacterial properties even after undergoing 50 simulated washing cycles. The antibacterial rate remains consistently above 90%. In addition, the cytocompatibility and skin irritation of the antimicrobial cotton fabrics were further investigated. The results indicated that the antimicrobial cotton fabrics demonstrated a favorable safety profile. This straightforward and environmentally friendly method for preparing antimicrobial cotton fabrics holds promise for applications in the textile and medical industries.