ABSTRACT
Health care-associated infection is acquired by patients while receiving care and represents the most frequent adverse event with a prevalence internationally ranging from 5.7% to 19.1%. Whilst the role of textiles as a fomite in infection has been questioned, the increasing body of evidence showing microbes persisting on textiles and increasing interest into developing antimicrobial textiles has been further driven by the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of the experiments reported here was to determine whether the antiviral coating remained effective after laundering at national healthcare laundering standards. Secondly, we discuss whether the available testing regime for antiviral treatments on fabric is appropriate for judging the effectiveness of the treatment. There is still significant work that needs to be undertaken in standardising and ensuring the suitability of test methods within this area of technical textiles. Trials in the relevant workplace environment are essential as these may produce very different results to those undertaken as a proof of principle within a laboratory. © 2023 The Textile Institute.
ABSTRACT
During current COVID-19 crises, the antimicrobial textiles primarily those utilized in hospital by doctors and paramedical staff have become increasingly important. Thus, there is an unmet requirement to develop antimicrobial textiles for infection control and hygiene practices. Metallic nanoparticles exhibit great effectiveness towards resistant microbial species making them a potential solution to the increasing antibiotic resistance. Due to this, nanoparticles particularly copper and silver have become most prevalent forms of antibacterial finishing agents for the development of antimicrobial textiles. This review is mainly focused on the significance of copper and silver nanoparticles for the development of antimicrobial textiles. The comparative analysis of the antibacterial effectiveness of copper and silver nanoparticles as well as the possible physical and chemical interactions responsible for their antibacterial action are explained. The negative impact of pathogenic microbes on textiles and possible interactions of antimicrobial agents with microbes have also been highlighted. The significance of nanotechnology for the development of antimicrobial textiles and their applications in medical textiles domain have also been discussed. Various green synthesis and chemical methods used for the synthesis of Ag and Cu nanoparticles and their application on textile substrates to impart antimicrobial functionality have also been discussed. The various qualitative and quantitative standard testing protocols utilised for the antimicrobial characterization of textiles have also discussed in this review. The developed Cu and Ag coated textiles could be effectively applied in the field of hospital textiles for the preparation of antibacterial scrub suits, surgical gowns, panel covers, protective clothing, bedding textiles, coveralls, wound dressings, table covers, curtains, and chair covers etc. © The Author(s) 2022.
ABSTRACT
Polymeric substrates can be endowed with antiviral properties by grafting N-chloramine precursors to the surface. These surfaces bind oxidative chlorine from a dilute chlorine bleach solution and are similarly recharged after depletion for reuse. Previously, enhanced antibacterial efficacy of quaternized N-chloramines compared to their neutral counterparts is reported. In this study, a new quaternized N-chloramine N-1-(3-methacrylamidopropyl)-N-1,N-1,N-10,N-10-tetramethyl-N-10-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)decane-1,10-diaminium (MAMPIP) featuring two quaternary ammonium groups within the structure to boost the chlorination efficiency and achieve excellent antiviral efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is reported. Antiviral fabrics are prepared by free-radical graft polymerization of MAMPIP, or copolymerization of MAMPIP with a comonomer (acrylamide or methacrylamide) onto cotton fabrics to achieve enhanced durability to re-chlorination. The poly(MAMPIP) grafted cotton, after chlorination, is highly effective against SARS-CoV-2 and achieves 4.59 log reduction (99.997%) after 5 min contact. Samples grafted with the copolymer of MAMPIP and acrylamide or methacrylamide are resistant to hydrolysis during re-chlorination and retain high active chlorine and antiviral activity after 5 cycles of re-chlorination (>3 log reduction after 10 min contact). Furthermore, the N-chloramine coatings show excellent stability after exposure to simulated daylight conditions under an accelerated weathering tester, and storage for 200 days at 21 degrees C, 65% RH. The resulting quaternized N-chloramine grafted cotton is a suitable platform for reusable antiviral textiles.