Evaluation of multifunctional properties of cotton fabric based on metal/chitosan film

Films of chitosan with both of zirconium and/or titanium at different ratios as model film applied to cotton fabric have been evaluated. The structure of cotton fabric and its morphology were studied using both X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), respectively. Chitosan-titanium film showed the highest interaction with cotton fabric that lead to lower crystallinity index of fabric. Whereas, week interaction between cotton fabrics is observed in case of zirconium/titanium-chitosan film. From SEM-EDX, chitosan-titanium film sorption on cotton is the highest where the N content is 9.67%. Moreover, the UV-protecting properties as well as the antibacterial activity of cotton fabric against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are investigated. The effect of metallic salt treatments on the UV-protection factor (UPF), UV-protection grade as well as on the percent reduction in bacterial count (% RBC) has been studied. Results showed that UPF rating of prepared samples incorporated with Ti was >50, with Zr 45-50 as well as with the mixed were 45-50 at all used concentration. The extent of improvement in the UPF values is based on the nature of the deposited metal oxide. Ti > Zr > mixed > none. Furthermore the extent of increasing of oil stain release (OSR) values is based on the type of metal oxides (i.e. 4-5 for Ti, 2-4 for Zr as well as 3-5 for the mixed oxides). On the other hand the antibacterial activities of the prepared cotton fabrics containing the metal oxides using reduction of bacterial count method against G +ve bacteria (96-87%) and G -ve bacteria (93-70.5%) are depending on the nature of the deposited metal oxide, i.e. Zr > mixed > Ti > coated fabric > none. UV-cutting as well as incorporation of metal oxides, enhancing both an excellent UV-protection and prominent antibacterial activities. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.