66
L. J. Rather et al.
and delicate surroundings by reducing the colonization of microbes and their communication through fabric surfaces [81]. Antimicrobial textiles requiring less care
can deliver the goal of the reduction in the environmental footprints. Requirements for antimicrobial treatments for different textile materials vary according to
the use of end product and the type of reactivity of antimicrobials towards textiles. The toxicity profile of human is vital for garments of skin-contact, whereas
the photostability of the antimicrobial agents is vital for outdoor textiles. Zinc
pyrithione (ZnPT), n-octyl-isothiazolinone (OIT), benz-isothiazolinone (BIT) or
10,10
-oxybispheloxarsine (OBPA)nanomaterials are favored for non-skin contact
uses such as mattresses or bedding whereas silver (Ag), triclosan (TCS), silane quaternary ammonium (Si-QAC) compounds are mainly used for apparel textiles. Moreover, silver and silane quaternary ammonium compounds are also widely used in the
medical field.
Application concentration is one of the most important parameters that influence the antimicrobial action and rates of biocidal agents [82]. The application rate
further depends upon the type of antimicrobial, method of application (bulk incorporation vs. topical treatment), fabric construction, type of interactions (physisorption
or chemisorption), and stability during use (durability). To verify the applications
rates, several tests were conducted in USA on textiles treated with Ag, TCS, Si-QAC
and ZnPT which were then given the product registration labels extracted from the
National Pesticide Information Retrieval System. PAN Pesticides Database gives
detailed categories and corresponding PC codes [83, 84].
Durability of the finished product is another fundamental requirement to ensure
its significant role throughout its life cycle. Successive cycles of washing and wear of
the textile product can contribute much to the progressive loss of the activity due to
leaching process during washing treatments or mechanical impairment to the fabric
or fiber. The leaching can occur until the antimicrobial activity reaches its limiting
factor. In line with best industrial practices the finished textile fabric should service
at least 50 machine washes [85]. The highest wash durability with lowest application
rates is mostly favored in marketplace. Many studies reveal the leaching of different
antimicrobials from textile fabric surfaces: Ag [86–89] the leaching of TCS [90, 91],
the leaching of Si-QAC [92] or the leakage of ZnPT from textiles [93]. However,
strong fixation of the antimicrobials is desirable to improve the durability of finished
products. Treatments of antimicrobials characteristically have a choice of suggested
application rates that reflect how much of the active is required to offer performances
and durability aspects [94].
4.2 UV Protection Applications
Recently, consumers all over the world are looking for well-developed protective
clothing materials which can provide dual purposes of coloration and simultaneous
UV radiation protection. UV protective nature of food and packaging materials retard
their chemical degradation and enhances their life span, whereas UV protective agents
L. J. Rather et al.
and delicate surroundings by reducing the colonization of microbes and their communication through fabric surfaces [81]. Antimicrobial textiles requiring less care
can deliver the goal of the reduction in the environmental footprints. Requirements for antimicrobial treatments for different textile materials vary according to
the use of end product and the type of reactivity of antimicrobials towards textiles. The toxicity profile of human is vital for garments of skin-contact, whereas
the photostability of the antimicrobial agents is vital for outdoor textiles. Zinc
pyrithione (ZnPT), n-octyl-isothiazolinone (OIT), benz-isothiazolinone (BIT) or
10,10
-oxybispheloxarsine (OBPA)nanomaterials are favored for non-skin contact
uses such as mattresses or bedding whereas silver (Ag), triclosan (TCS), silane quaternary ammonium (Si-QAC) compounds are mainly used for apparel textiles. Moreover, silver and silane quaternary ammonium compounds are also widely used in the
medical field.
Application concentration is one of the most important parameters that influence the antimicrobial action and rates of biocidal agents [82]. The application rate
further depends upon the type of antimicrobial, method of application (bulk incorporation vs. topical treatment), fabric construction, type of interactions (physisorption
or chemisorption), and stability during use (durability). To verify the applications
rates, several tests were conducted in USA on textiles treated with Ag, TCS, Si-QAC
and ZnPT which were then given the product registration labels extracted from the
National Pesticide Information Retrieval System. PAN Pesticides Database gives
detailed categories and corresponding PC codes [83, 84].
Durability of the finished product is another fundamental requirement to ensure
its significant role throughout its life cycle. Successive cycles of washing and wear of
the textile product can contribute much to the progressive loss of the activity due to
leaching process during washing treatments or mechanical impairment to the fabric
or fiber. The leaching can occur until the antimicrobial activity reaches its limiting
factor. In line with best industrial practices the finished textile fabric should service
at least 50 machine washes [85]. The highest wash durability with lowest application
rates is mostly favored in marketplace. Many studies reveal the leaching of different
antimicrobials from textile fabric surfaces: Ag [86–89] the leaching of TCS [90, 91],
the leaching of Si-QAC [92] or the leakage of ZnPT from textiles [93]. However,
strong fixation of the antimicrobials is desirable to improve the durability of finished
products. Treatments of antimicrobials characteristically have a choice of suggested
application rates that reflect how much of the active is required to offer performances
and durability aspects [94].
4.2 UV Protection Applications
Recently, consumers all over the world are looking for well-developed protective
clothing materials which can provide dual purposes of coloration and simultaneous
UV radiation protection. UV protective nature of food and packaging materials retard
their chemical degradation and enhances their life span, whereas UV protective agents