Durable multifunctional antibacterial and hydrophobic cotton fabrics modified with linear fluorinated pyridinium polysiloxane

Abstract A novel fluorinated pyridinium polysiloxane quaternary ammonium salt (ATPDMS-NF) was synthesized and used as an antibacterial and hydrophobic agent. The chemical structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra and 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance. The surface morphology of treated cotton fabrics was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The thermal stability was measured by thermogravimetric analysis. The Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) antibacterial rate was about 98.99, 99.49, 99.49% and the Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) antibacterial rate was about 99.00, 99.50, 99.50%. The inhibition zone was 1 mm and 3.5 mm against E. coli and S. aureus . In addition, the treated cotton fabrics showed excellent hydrophobic properties, and the water contact angle (WCA) increased to 122.82° compared with cotton fabrics without treatment whose WCA was 71.44°. As a result of the performed modifications, multifunctional fabrics with a considerably increased hydrophobicity, thermal stability and high antibacterial property were obtained. Graphic abstract Process of grafting ATPDMS-NF onto cotton fabric and performance display.