Facile and versatile fabrication of multifunctional cotton fabrics with persistent antibacterial and deodorizing properties

Imparting cotton fabrics with durable antibacterial and deodorizing functions while preserving their original hygroscopic properties presents a significant challenge. In this study, a novel surface-modified cotton fabric, Cotton-grafted-polyacrylic acid/polyhexamethylene guanidine (Cot- g -PAA/PHMG), was prepared through irradiation-induced graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AA), followed by electrostatic adsorption of polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG). The effect of polyacrylic acid (PAA)/PHMG loading on the structure and overall performance of Cot- g -PAA/PHMG was comprehensively investigated and compared to untreated cotton fabric. The results demonstrated that the PAA/PHMG layer significantly enhances the cotton fabric’s antibacterial and deodorizing properties. Specifically, Cot- g -PAA/PHMG can absorb both acidic and alkaline gaseous pollutants due to its amphoteric structure, achieving removal rates of 95.3% for ammonia and 98.4% for acetic acid. Even after 50 rounds of accelerated washing, the deodorization rate of Cot- g -PAA/PHMG remains above 90%. Additionally, the guanidine-functionalized cotton fabric exhibits antibacterial rates of up to 99.99% against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus , even after 50 laundering cycles. These findings provide a simple and versatile approach for producing antimicrobial and odor-resistant materials suitable for hygienic applications. Graphical abstract This paper describes the synthesis and application of Cot- g -PAA/PHMG. PHMG-treated fabrics gained antimicrobial and deodorant properties.