Enhanced anti-microbial, anti-creasing and dye absorption properties of cotton fabric treated with Chitosan–Cyanuric Chloride hybrid

In this study, cotton fabrics were chemically crosslinked with Chitosan–Cyanuric Chloride hybrid (Ch–Cy) in order to improve their physical–chemical properties. The effect of operational parameters (e.g., initial concentration of Ch–Cy, temperature, reaction time and pH) on the grafting process was evaluated. A high weight gain of the cotton fabrics (~ 4%) was obtained under optimum conditions at initial concentration [Ch–Cy] = 30% over weight of fabric (o.w.f.), at 50 °C, pH 4 after 3 h. The treated and untreated cotton samples were dyed with three natural dyes (i.e., cochineal, madder and weld). The dye absorption of the treated samples was improved noticeably and according to the grafted amount of Ch–Cy on the fabrics. Despite the dye adsorption enhancement, the fastness properties (washing, light, rubbing) of the dyed samples remained at acceptable level. The wrinkle recovery angle of the treated samples increased minimum 60° showing the enhancement in the crease recovery of the fabrics. The treated cotton samples also showed promising antimicrobial behavior against gram negative and gram positive bacteria. This study shows that the dye adsorption, antimicrobial and anti-creasing properties of the treated samples are enhanced by this chemical treatment without any adverse effects on their tensile strength and color fastness properties.