Preparation of novel ink-jet inks with antimicrobial and bacteriostatic properties to be used for digital printing of polyester and polyamide fibers

• Preparation of ink-jet inks with/without antimicrobial agents as additives.
• Monitoring of the inks physical properties over 180 days.
• Digital printing of polyester and polyamide fabrics.
• Color measurements and fastness properties control of the prints.
• Quantitative determination of the agents and antimicrobial assessment of the prints.

Two antimicrobial agents, Silpure FBR-5, a novel polymeric silver combination product and Ultrafresh NM-V2 a formulation based on the active ingredient triclosan were used as active agents in this work. These were added in several amounts in water-based disperse ink-jet inks. The surface tension, pH, viscosity and conductivity of the prepared formulations were monitored over a period of 180 days in order to estimate the ink stability and the compatibility of the antimicrobial agents with the ink constituents. The inks were used for ink-jet printing of polyester and polyamide samples. Fastness and color properties of the samples were measured. Quantitative determination of the antimicrobial agents extracted of the printed sample was made and quantitative antibacterial assessment of the printed samples treated with triclosan and Silpure are also given.

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