IMPACT OF ANTIBACTERIAL FINISH ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF COTTON/POLYESTER TEXTILES WITH THE EXTRACT OF AZADIRACHATA INDICA, BUTEA MONOSPERMA AND LITCHI CHINENSIS

Antibacterial Finishing of Cotton/polyester

Abstract

Microorganisms mainly bacteria, viruses, and fungi are present everywhere around us and the textile provides the medium for the proliferation of these microorganisms which results in detrimental effects on the textile and its wearer. Considering that, the research aimed to create a sustainable and economical antimicrobial finish sourced from the leaves of Butea monosperma (Palash), Azadirachta indica (Neem), and Litchi chinensis (Lychee) plants. A fabric blend consisting of 50% cotton and 50% polyester was utilized to evaluate the efficacy of the finish. The antimicrobial finish was applied to the fabric via the pad dry cure method and secured using a polyurethane binder. The bacterial presence was evaluated using the ASTM E2149 shake flask method both before and after the application of the antimicrobial finish, as well as after 25 consecutive washes. AATCC and ISO standard test methods were implemented to test the fabric's properties. Moreover, FTIR, SEM, and sustainability of finish to washes were also tested. Antimicrobial finish showed 100% effectiveness and resistance against bacterial strains even after 25 washes. Mechanical characteristics such as Tear strength (TeS) and Tensile strength (TS) also showed significant effects on cotton/polyester fabric by applying an antimicrobial finish. Likewise, a notable impact of the antimicrobial finish on the weft TS (η² = 0.74) of the cotton/polyester fabric was noted, with a substantial effect size (η² = 0.74). However, there was no significant variance observed in the warp TS of the cotton/polyester fabric. It has been concluded that the natural antibacterial finish extracted from the leaves of Palash, Neem, and Lychee may have preventive and protective roles in textiles used by paramedical staff, the medical industry, home furnishing, athletic wears, as well as everyday use for people of all age groups