Printing of antimicrobial microcapsules on textiles

One of the processes for the application of functional compounds that alter textile properties is encapsulation. In our research, a microencapsulated biocide was used to produce an antimicrobial textile product. Melamine–formaldehyde polymer wall microcapsules with a triclosan core were applied to a cotton fabric by screen printing. Printed samples were dried and cured. The fabric hand properties of washed and unwashed samples were tested and the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was evaluated. The quantity of free formaldehyde on the printed and washed samples was monitored for 2 months. The results show that microcapsules with triclosan can be successfully applied to a cotton fabric by printing, where they provide good antibacterial protection without substantially changing the fabric properties. The quantity of formaldehyde on the unwashed samples is high and it changes with time; however, it significantly decreases with washing.