Novel antibacterial polymer-based finishing for textiles

Some critical drawbacks exist for biocidal agents in the market: short active duration (e.g. washing, rubbing, sweat contact); high cost of materials (e.g. silver); leaching of biocides from the fabrics towards the environment and to the skin of the users (ions, small molecules). Researches have developed different approaches to overcome some of these problems: use cheap materials (reduce cost) and/or natural biocides (environmental issues); bind molecules to the fiber surface (minimize leaching, enhance fastness); use antimicrobial polymers (high molecular weight).