Micellar synthesis of lime oil-loaded chitosan microstructures for the sustainable development of antibacterial cellulosic fabric

Present work focused on the sustainable synthesis of lime oil-loaded chitosan microcapsules and application thereof to woven cellulose fabric using citric acid as an eco-friendly crosslinker for onward application in the development of antibacterial cellulose fabric for biomedical proposes. Herein, chitosan-based microcapsular structures were fabricated using an emulsive crosslinking approach whereas their application on the test fabric was perused using pad-dry-cure technique. The fabricated microcapsules were analyzed for z-average size, zeta potential, surface morphological and crystalline profiles, whereas, the microcapsules-treated fabrics were characterized, accordingly, for surface chemical, crystalline, textile, antibacterial and finish release behaviors. The results revealed that control chitosan microcapsules exhibited a z-average size of 250 ± 20 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.33 and on the inclusion of the lime oil (as 2%, v/v) in the chitosan-based microcapsules, the z-average size of the particles reduced to 175 ± 12 nm with the respective PDI of 0.40. Electron microscopic techniques revealed that the spherical shapes of the microcapsules, observed on the treated fabrics, made their surfaces covered and roughened. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful crosslinking of the precursors towards a treated cellulosic fabric. The microcapsules-treated fabrics exhibited acceptable whiteness, decreased air permeability, slightly decreased tensile strength and slightly increased stiffness, enhanced crease recovery performance and good durable broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The study suggests the successful development of antibacterial cellulose fabric through cost-effective and sustainable routes with improved multifunctional properties.