Synthesis of Polyeugenol Sulfonate/Ag⁺ as an Antibacterial Coating on Cotton Fabric

Cotton fabric is widely used in various applications, including the medical field, but its hygroscopic nature makes it prone to microbial contamination. Eugenol a natural phenolic compound extracted from cloves, exhibits potent antibacterial activity due to the ability of hydroxyl group to disrupt microbial membranes. However, its polymerized form, polyeugenol, shows a significantly slower antibacterial response, limiting its immediate effectiveness. In this study, we introduce sulfonate groups to increase the negative charge density of the polymer, potentially improving antibacterial activity. Additionally, Ag+ known for its strong antimicrobial effects, was impregnated. Further, synthesized polyeugenol sulfonate/Ag+ was applied as an antibacterial coating for cotton fabrics. This material could achieve moderate antibacterial activity with an inhibition zone reaching 7.86 and 8.04 mm against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. These improvements in antibacterial activity are promoted to enhance the functionality of cotton fabrics in medical applications, where bacterial resistance is crucial for patient safety.