Preparation and Properties of Viscose Rayon/O-carboxymethyl Chitosan Antibacterial Fibers

Antimicrobial viscose rayon/O-carboxymethyl chitosan fibers (VCMFs) were manufactured by spinning the mixture of O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMCS) xanthate and cellulose xanthate via the viscose process. The structure, morphology and mechanical properties were investigated by infrared, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope and tensile test. The results show that the blend fibers of cellulose and O-CMCS were satisfactorily prepared and the two polymers were mixed homogeneously. VCMFs display striation along the fiber similar to those of viscose rayon fibers, and their mechanical properties are close to that of viscose rayon. With O-CMCS blended, VCMFs showed good moisture absorption and antibacterial activity against E. coli.