Plasma-enhanced regenerable 5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DMH) antibacterial finishing for cotton fabric

Abstract In this study, atmospheric pressure nitrogen plasma treatment was applied to cotton fabrics in the coating process of cotton fabric coated with 5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DMH) with the aim to enhance the adhesion of DMH and antibacterial property. Then chlorine was introduced into nitrogen-containing groups on the coated cotton fabrics in order to make it antibacterial by chlorination with sodium hypochlorite. The antibacterial property, rechargeability and stability of the coated cotton fabrics were investigated. FTIR, UV and SEM were used to evaluate the surface properties, including the existence of DMH on cotton fabrics, the content of DMH on cotton fabrics and the surface topography of cotton fabrics after modification. The results showed that nitrogen plasma treatment introduces nitrogen-containing groups into cotton fabrics and enhances the adhesion of DMH on the fabrics, and introduction of chlorine on the coated fabrics inhibits bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ), effectively and the antibacterial property is regenerable. Therefore, the antibacterial finishing of cotton fabrics coated with DMH with the aid of nitrogen plasma treatment achieves good effect.