Molecular structure and properties of wool fiber surface-grafted with nano-antibacterial materials

Wool fiber was modified by ultraviolet irradiation (UV) and functionalized by grafting antibacterial agent. The structure and properties of antibacterial wool fiber were discussed in detail. The secondary structure changes and crystal structure were analyzed based on Fourier Transformation Raman Spectrometry (FTR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the disordered degree of UV-treated sample was increased and the antibacterial sample became more oriented. Compared with parent wool fiber, the antibacterial wool fiber was improved in mechanical property. The force, tensile strength and elongation were increased by 18%, 16%, and 7%, respectively. Also, the anti-shrinkage performance was increased because of the decrease in the directional frictional effect (DFE).

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► The structure changes of antibacterial wool have been analyzed by FTR and XRD.
► It showed that their structural changes had an important effect on their properties.
► The mechanical property was increased because of the improved molecular orientation.
► The anti-shrinkage property was raised because of grafting nano-antibacterial agent.