Facile and versatile fabrication of multifunctional cotton fabrics with persistent antibacterial and deodorizing properties

Abstract Endowing cotton fabrics with enduring antibacterial and deodorizing functions while maintaining their original hygroscopic properties is a significant challenge. In this study, a novel surface-modified cotton fabric (Cot-g-PAA/PHMG) was prepared through irradiation-induced graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AA), followed by electrostatic adsorption of polyguanidine salt (PHMG). The influence of PAA/PHMG loading on the structure and overall performance of Cot-g-PAA/PHMG was thoroughly investigated and compared with the original cotton fabric. The results showed that the PAA/PHMG layer significantly enhances the antibacterial and deodorizing properties of the cotton fabric. Specifically, Cot-g-PAA/PHMG can absorb both acidic and alkaline gaseous pollutants due to its amphoteric structure, achieving removal rates of 95.3% for ammonia and 98.4% for acetic acid, after 50 rounds of accelerated washing, the deodorization rate of Cot-g-PAA/PHMG remains above 90%. Additionally, the guanidine-functionalized cotton fabrics exhibit antibacterial rates of up to 99.99% against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and 99.99% against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, even after 50 laundering cycles. These findings provide a simple and versatile approach for creating antimicrobial and odor-resistant materials for hygienic applications.