Antibacterial finishing treatment of denim fabric based on plasma technology

Abstract

The antimicrobial agent 3-(acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride (APTAC) was grafted onto vacuum plasma‒treated denim fabrics. Optimal treatment conditions, including sputter-gas species, gas pressure, power, and duration were investigated using Orthogonal Array Testing Strategy (OATS) analysis. The obtained denim fabrics were characterized using energy dispersive X-ray (EDS)，Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Strength, tactile quality, air permeability, and antibacterial properties of the denim fabric before and after grafting were characterized. The results showed that APTAC was successfully grafted onto the denim fabric under conditions using an argon/oxygen mixture as sputtering gas, a sputtering flow ratio of 50:50, a vacuum plasma discharge power of 500 W, and a treatment time of 5 min without affecting the fabric’s air permeability or mechanical properties. Antibacterial efficacy tests showed that APTAC-treated cotton fabric inactivated 92.8% of S. aureus and 94.87% of E. coli O157:H7 in 30 min contact time, thereby achieving sound antimicrobial activity.

Keywords

• vacuum plasma
• (3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride
• denim
• antibacterial finish