Functionalization of cotton fabrics by radiation induced grafting of quaternary salt to impart antibacterial property

High energy gamma radiation has been used to covalently link polymer chains of a quaternary ammonium salt containing monomer, viz. [2-(Acryloyloxyethyl)]trimethylammonium chloride (AETC) to cotton fabric by mutual radiation grafting using 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) monomer as the grafting facilitator. Grafting yield was found to increase with the radiation dose and monomer concentration. The grafted samples have been characterized for water uptake, surface morphology and thermal stability and for their antibacterial efficacy against various bacteria and were found to possess significant antibacterial activity particularly against gram-positive bacteria.

► Radiation grafting of [2-(Acryloyloxyethyl)]trimethylammonium chloride (AETC) on cotton.
► Higher grafting extent in binary solvent mixture and in the presence of another monomer (HEMA).
► AETC-g-cotton shows better antibacterial properties against gram-positive bacteria.
► Polymers show better antibacterial properties than their grafted analogs.