Durable and regenerable antibacterial finishing of fabrics with a new hydantoin derivative

Durable and regenerable antibacterial fabrics were prepared by using an inn ovative chemical technology employing a precursor biocidal agent, dimethylo l dimethylhydantoin (DMDMH), in a chemical finishing process. The method re sulted in significant add-on rates of hydantoin groups on cellulose and est ablished a durable antimicrobial functionality, once the grafted heterocycl ic compounds were chlorinated by diluted chlorine bleaching. Both cotton fa brics and polyester/ cotton fabrics exposed to treatment baths containing f rom 2 to 10% of DMDMH acquired a powerful inactivating capacity against a w ide range of food-borne and water-borne infectious disease agents. The bioc idal functions are regenerable by regular laundry exposure to chlorine blea ch and can withstand over 50 standard machine washes without appreciable de terioration. In addition to their powerful antimicrobial efficacy, the fabr ics exhibited improved wrinkle resistance and maintained appropriate mechan ical properties, making them ideal for medical and hygienic textile applica tions. In this article we report the results from biocidal tests and durabi lity evaluations and provide data characterizing physical attributes of the treated fabrics.