Antibacterial and Moisture Transferring Properties of Functionally Integrated Knitted Firefighting Fabrics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Traditional fire suits trap sweat, promoting bacterial growth and health risks for firefighters in hot environments.
• The need for advanced protective gear that manages moisture and prevents microbial contamination is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel fire-retardant fabric with integrated antibacterial and enhanced moisture-wicking capabilities.
• To address the limitations of current firefighter protective clothing concerning heat stress and microbial proliferation.

Main Methods:

• Blending aramid 1313 and flame-retardant viscose fibers.
• Embedding antibacterial nanofibers into microfiber aggregates for enhanced cross-scale interface adhesion.
• Assessing antibacterial efficacy via colony counting and moisture transport using vertical liquid absorption tests.

Main Results:

• The developed fabric exhibits excellent antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, achieving a 99% inhibition rate.
• The fabric maintains its antibacterial efficacy even after 50 washing cycles.
• Significant improvements in moisture-transporting performance were observed.

Conclusions:

• A versatile, flame-retardant fabric with superior antibacterial and moisture-wicking properties has been successfully engineered.
• The fabrication method shows potential for broad applicability in developing advanced functional textiles.