Antibacterial finishing of cotton fabric with polyhexymethylene phenformin hydrochloride via electrostatic self-assembly

Polyhexymethylene phenformin hydrochloride(PHMB) and polystyrene sulfonate(PSS) were alternately deposited on the surface of cotton fabric via electrostatic self-assembly which endowed the fabric with antibacterial ability.The surface morphology of assembled fibers was revealed via scanning electron microscopy.The surface of assembled fibers became rough,proving that PHMB/PSS were coated on the fiber.Zeta potential of the fibers and dyeing color depth showed that the distinct ″layer-by-layer alternating oscillation″ appears along with the change of deposition materials on fiber surface,which helped to investigate the assembly mechanism.The bacterial inhibition rate of self-assembled cotton fabrics reached 99.51%,showing excellent anti-bacterial property.In addition,the assembled cotton fabric also had a good washing fastness.