Preparation of antibacterial conductive cotton fabrics via silane-modified polypyrrole

In this study, silane-modified polypyrrole (PPy) was coated onto cotton fabrics through a conventional “in situ polymerization” method. And by chlorination with NaClO solution, we obtained antimicrobial conductive PPy/Si–Cl–cotton fabrics. The PPy/Si–Cl–cotton fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared and thermogravimetric analysis. Also, the electrical conductivity property, antibacterial property, and ultraviolet light stability of the coated fabrics were tested. The PPy/Si–Cl–cotton fabrics showed antimicrobial and electrical conductivity properties when the chlorination time was up to 30 s. The chlorine content was 0.30 wt% and the resistance was 26.79 kΩ/cm. The PPy/Si–Cl–cotton fabrics (Cl ⁺ % 0.30) showed excellent antibacterial properties against 100% Staphylococcus aureus and 100% Escherichia coli O157:H7 were inactivated within 1 min of contact. Due to the proportional relationship of the electrical conductivity and chlorine content of the PPy/Si–Cl–cotton fabrics, the electrical conductivity of the PPy/Si–Cl–cotton fabrics can be used for monitoring the antimicrobial activity.