Development of multifunctional cotton textile with hydrophobic and antimicrobial properties using STPP-crosslinked chitosan/guar gum coatings

In this research work, a biobased coating solution was developed based on chitosan (CS) and guar gum (GG) crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) to introduce water-repellent and functional properties to cotton textiles. The coating blend was developed to contain 1% chitosan, 1.5% guar gum, 0.09% STPP, and 1.5% glycerol. The cotton textiles were treated using a dip-coating technique followed by drying at ambient temperature. FTIR and SEM analysis has affirmed the successful deposition of the coating solution on the textile surface. The coated textile exhibited significant hydrophobicity, as evidenced by a water contact angle values of 130.4 ± 1.3°. Hydrophobic property was retained (with contact angle values of 98.6 ± 0.4˚) after fourteen (14) washing cycle with water. The coating slight reduction in mechanical properties of the coated cotton textile sample was observed compared to the uncoated sample. Furthermore, the treated textiles exhibited inhibition zones of 16.7 ± 1 mm against S. aureus and 10.6 ± 0.1 mm against C. albicans, indicating significant antimicrobial efficacy. These findings underscore the potential of chitosan/guar gum-based composite coatings for the development of advanced cotton textile with enhanced functional properties, suitable for a broad spectrum of applications.