Recent Advances in Development
of Antimicrobial Textiles
Shagufta Riaz and Munir Ashraf
Abstract Cellulosic textiles mostly facilitate the growth of microorganism due to
their larger surface area and capability to hold moisture, which is responsible for
several devastating effects not only to consumer but also to the textile itself. Health
related consciousness and hygienic perception of products stimulated the intensive
research to mitigate the pathogenic effects and development of microbe free materials. Textile researchers have also been paying rigorous attention for developing different antibacterial agents to fulfill the increased demands of ecofriendly antibacterial
textiles. The main emphasis of this chapter was to give an overview of advancements
in development of different organic and inorganic antibacterial agents, their inclusion during fiber formation or at textile finishing stage, mode of action of different
antibacterial agents, durability and the environmental impact of leaching and bound
antibacterial textiles.
Keywords Antibacterial textiles · Nanoparticles · Antibacterial agents · Natural
antibacterial agents · Leaching agents
1 Introduction
The clothing concept is shifting towards the innovations in the multifunctional textiles
as the emergence of new technologies has revolutionized the approach of inducing
improved performances and characteristics. Fibers and fibrous materials have been
used for different application like home furnishing, sports goods, medical textiles,
water purification and food packaging besides traditional clothing applications. In
last few decades, with the increased awareness of environmental and human concerns,
trend is moving towards antibacterial products because of microbe full environment
[1].
Cotton textiles, having promising comfort properties, can easily be attacked by
microorganisms because of superior absorbency and moisture retaining characteristics [2], thus causing different unwanted effects like unpleasant odor, discoloration,
S. Riaz · M. Ashraf (B)
Functional Textiles Research Group, National Textile University, Faisalabad 37610, Pakistan
e-mail: munir.ashraf01@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
M. Shahid and R. Adivarekar (eds.), Advances in Functional Finishing of Textiles, Textile
Science and Clothing Technology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3669-4_6
129
of Antimicrobial Textiles
Shagufta Riaz and Munir Ashraf
Abstract Cellulosic textiles mostly facilitate the growth of microorganism due to
their larger surface area and capability to hold moisture, which is responsible for
several devastating effects not only to consumer but also to the textile itself. Health
related consciousness and hygienic perception of products stimulated the intensive
research to mitigate the pathogenic effects and development of microbe free materials. Textile researchers have also been paying rigorous attention for developing different antibacterial agents to fulfill the increased demands of ecofriendly antibacterial
textiles. The main emphasis of this chapter was to give an overview of advancements
in development of different organic and inorganic antibacterial agents, their inclusion during fiber formation or at textile finishing stage, mode of action of different
antibacterial agents, durability and the environmental impact of leaching and bound
antibacterial textiles.
Keywords Antibacterial textiles · Nanoparticles · Antibacterial agents · Natural
antibacterial agents · Leaching agents
1 Introduction
The clothing concept is shifting towards the innovations in the multifunctional textiles
as the emergence of new technologies has revolutionized the approach of inducing
improved performances and characteristics. Fibers and fibrous materials have been
used for different application like home furnishing, sports goods, medical textiles,
water purification and food packaging besides traditional clothing applications. In
last few decades, with the increased awareness of environmental and human concerns,
trend is moving towards antibacterial products because of microbe full environment
[1].
Cotton textiles, having promising comfort properties, can easily be attacked by
microorganisms because of superior absorbency and moisture retaining characteristics [2], thus causing different unwanted effects like unpleasant odor, discoloration,
S. Riaz · M. Ashraf (B)
Functional Textiles Research Group, National Textile University, Faisalabad 37610, Pakistan
e-mail: munir.ashraf01@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
M. Shahid and R. Adivarekar (eds.), Advances in Functional Finishing of Textiles, Textile
Science and Clothing Technology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3669-4_6
129