Durable antibacterial cotton fabrics with good performance enabled by quaternary ammonium salts

For addressing the issue of limited durable antibacterial cotton fabric, this study developed and synthesized quaternary ammonium salt antimicrobial agents. The chemical structure was analyzed by FTIR and ¹H NMR. The cotton fabric was subjected to surface modification techniques, such as pad-dry-cure, following the careful selection of appropriate quaternary ammonium salt. The chemical state and surface morphology were evaluated through XPS and SEM. Furthermore, the cotton fabric underwent comprehensive assessments, which included antibacterial testing, laundering cycle testing, evaluation of mechanical properties, and analysis of comfort performance. The results demonstrated that the treated cotton fabric achieved a high bacteriostatic and fungistatic rate of 99.99%, 87.5%, and 99.99% against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans respectively even after 50 laundering cycles, while maintaining exceptional antibacterial effectiveness and laundering durability due to the formation of covalent bonds with the cotton fabric. The treated cotton fabric met AAA grade standards for antibacterial rate without causing any significant decline in mechanical properties. Furthermore, enhancements in hydrophilicity, softness, and wrinkle resistance were observed.