Poly(quaternary ammonium salt-epoxy) grafted onto Ce doped ZnO composite: An enhanced and durable antibacterial agent

The composite after referred to as P(DMDAAC-AGE)/(Ce-ZnO) was prepared via free radical polymerization by polymer including quaternary ammonium salt and epoxy group which grafted onto the surface of Ce-ZnO. ZnO nanorods, Ce-ZnO nanorods, P(DMDAAC-AGE), P(DMDAAC-AGE)/ZnO composites, P(DMDAAC-AGE)/(Ce-ZnO) composites and commercial antimicrobials were respectively treated on the cotton fabrics and their biological properties were investigated. There is a synergistic effect between Ce-ZnO and N⁺ from the polymer in the fabric treated with P(DMDAAC-AGE)/(Ce-ZnO) composite so that it had a better antibacterial activity than pure polymer and pure Ce-ZnO. The antimicrobial rate of fabric treated with P(DMDAAC-AGE)/(Ce-ZnO) composite could reach up to 96%. And in order to investigate the durable ability, the fabric was washed multiple times to simulate the daily use washing. The result showed that the fabric still gave a superior antibacterial performance after 11 cycles (the equivalent of 55 times house laundering). Simultaneously, the differences in the amount of P(DMDAAC-AGE)/(Ce-ZnO) composite deposited on the fibers after washing were also investigated.