Immobilization on wool fiber and antibacterial characteristic of novel bis-type quaternary ammonium salts

The two kinds of bis-type quaternary ammonium salts (QACs) with hydroxyl group in their molecules, 1,5-bis(tetradecyl dimethyl ammonium iodide) -3-pentanol [A-14] and 4,5-bis (dodecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide) -1-pentanol [B-12] were immobilized on wool fiber, respectively, by using a coupling agent. Antibacterial wool fibers (called as WA-14 and WB-12, respectively) were obtained and their antibacterial characteristics were investigated. A-14 and B-12 chemically bonded to the surface of wool fiber exhibited antimicrobial activity against a broad range of microorganism. Their antibacterial activity was not easily influenced by environmental pH and temperature, and could not be removed from the surface of wool by repeated washing.