Preparation and Characterization of Antibacterial Nonwoven Polyester Fabrics Coated with Chitosan and Polyvinyl Alcohol
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Abstract
The development of antibacterial textiles is essential for reducing healthcare-associated infections. This study investigates the antibacterial properties of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA)-coated nonwoven polyester fabrics fabricated using a padding technique. Six formulations are prepared with varying chitosan concentrations (1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5% w/v) and PVA concentrations (1.5%, 2.0% w/v) at a fixed CS:PVA volume ratio of 70:30. The coated fabrics are characterized for thickness, weight, air permeability, and swelling degree of swelling. Antibacterial activity is evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive), Escherichia coli (gram-negative), and Candida albicans (fungus) using the agar disc diffusion method. Results showed that increasing chitosan and PVA concentrations progressively increased thickness (0.0985–0.1060 mm), weight (0.0843–0.1095 g), and swelling (95.2–160.9%), while air permeability decreased slightly (3641–3440 cm³/cm²/s). All six coated samples exhibited positive antibacterial and antifungal activity against all three tested microorganisms. The formulation with 2.5% chitosan and 2.0% PVA (S32) demonstrated the highest coating weight and swelling, indicating optimal polymer deposition. This study demonstrates that padding with CS/PVA blends effectively produces nonwoven polyester fabrics with antibacterial properties, suitable for healthcare textile applications.
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