The influence of methods of functionalization, knitting structures, and washing/drying conditions on the antibacterial activity of silver-functionalized textiles

The growing technology development and concern with health and hygiene have promoted the development of new functionalized textiles, such as those with antimicrobial properties. Thus, the main objective of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial activity and durability of silver-modified textiles functionalized by two different methods: fiber extrusion (functional fiber) and exhaustion (surface functionality) and the influence of the knitting structure and wash/dry conditions (natural air-drying or drying in the dryer). The antibacterial activity was evaluated according to the JIS L 1902:2008 standards by using the absorption method. For both methods of functionalization, a good antibacterial activity was obtained (100% of growth inhibition). Regarding durability to washing cycles, both methods showed low durability (growth inhibition lower than 50% for samples functionalized by fiber extrusion and lower than 10% for samples functionalized by exhaustion, after 20 wash cycles). Additionally, it was verified that knitting structure and the washing/drying conditions influenced the durability of antibacterial activity. Textiles functionalized by fiber extrusion and after 5 washing/dry flat cycles kept and exhibited 100% of growth inhibition. In general, longer functionalization durability was obtained for extrusion functionalization, knitting structures with higher mass per unit area; and for samples washed and submitted to natural drying.