Biomedical Textiles Through Multifunctioalization of Cotton Fabrics Using Innovative Methoxypolyethylene Glycol-N-Chitosan Graft Copolymer

Multifunctioalization of cotton fabrics was developed by a novel finishing formulation. The method is based on chitosan-N-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer along with citric acid and sodium hypophosphite (SHP) as catalysts. Treatment of the cotton fabric resulted in the chemical attachment of the copolymer to the cotton fabric via bridging-based esterification where the latter involves reaction of one molecule of the polycarboxylic acid (citric acid) with both the amino group of the copolymer and the hydroxyl groups of cotton. Inclusion of the copolymer in the crosslinked structure of cotton as well as by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces are additionally possible. Synthesis of the copolymer was raised out by the reaction of chitosan with methoxy polyethylene glycol (MPEG) aldehyde followed by the reduction with sodium borohydride. MPEG was prepared by oxidation of PEG with acetic anhydride in dimethyl sulphoxide at room temperature. Methoxypolyethylene glycol-N-chitosan graft copolymer (MPEG-N-CTS) structure was confirmed by IR, NMR, X-RD and TGA techniques. The copolymer is soluble in water. The pad dry-cure method was used for the cotton fabrics treatment with aqueous solution of prepared copolymer along with citric acid and SHP. The so treated fabrics were monitored for copolymer content (expressed as N%), crease recovery, tensile strength, elongation at break, air permeability, water permeability, roughness, bursting strength and antibacterial activity. Fabric performances based on the outputs of these measurements advocate these multifunctionalized fabrics for use as medical textile.