Use of Nanotechnology to Achieve the Best Functional Characteristics of the Fabrics Sheets Used in Hospitals

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Textile Research Division, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza, P.O. 12622, Egypt

2 Faculty of Applied Arts / Helwan University, Egypt

Abstract

This research aims to achieve the best functional characteristics of the bed sheets used by hospitals, to be resistant to bacteria, and have the ability to Self-Cleaning. Three fabrics were produced from different weft material (rayon viscose, bamboo, and cotton) and were treated with Nanosilver, and Nano Titanium dioxide (TiO2). Fabrics were coated with the nanoparticles in three different sequences: 1) coating of fabric with 1%TiO2 nanoparticles and Ag nanoparticles in the same bath, 2) coating of fabric by 1% TiO2 post-treated by Ag nanoparticles, 3) coating of fabric by Ag nanoparticles post-treated with -1% TiO2 treated fabric). Treated samples were tested for Pema test (skin model) and Stability of treatment to washing test. The results show that cotton and a little less bamboo are the best treated materials, achieved the high-performance efficiency for the purpose of use, where they gave the best properties directly associated with the comfort (water vapor permeability, air permeability, and thermal conductivity), after treatment with nano-materials . Also, the treatment of fabrics by TiO2 post-treated by silver nanoparticles solution shows higher antibacterial results than other two sequences of treatments, and Bamboo treated samples exhibited more significant efficacy against bacteria. Therefore, the treated fabric believed to have great potential for use as antibacterial fabrics to reduce the likelihood of being infected with the bed sores. All treated samples show high efficiency towards removal of MB dye stains, and bamboo treated samples are the most effective one towards the self-cleaning feature.

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