Durable and regenerable antibacterial finishing of fabrics with a new hydantoin derivative

Durable and regenerable antibacterial fabrics were prepared by using an innovative chemical technology employing a precursor biocidal agent, dimethylol dimethylhydantoin (DMDMH), in a chemical finishing process. The method resulted in significant add-on rates of hydantoin groups on cellulose and established a durable antimicrobial functionality, once the grafted heterocyclic compounds were chlorinated by diluted chlorine bleaching. Both cotton fabrics and polyester/ cotton fabrics exposed to treatment baths containing from 2 to 10% of DMDMH acquired a powerful inactivating capacity against a wide range of food-borne and water-borne infectious disease agents. The biocidal functions are regenerable by regular laundry exposure to chlorine bleach and can withstand over 50 standard machine washes without appreciable deterioration. In addition to their powerful antimicrobial efficacy, the fabrics exhibited improved wrinkle resistance and maintained appropriate mechanical properties, making them ideal for medical and hygienic textile applications. In this article we report the results from biocidal tests and durability evaluations and provide data characterizing physical attributes of the treated fabrics.