Development of N-halamine Low-Melting Point Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Fibers via Melt Spinning: Structural Characterization and Demonstration of Rechargeable Antibacterial Properties

Abstract

Antibacterial low-melting-point poly(ethylene terephthalate) (LMP-PET) fibers are produced via melt spinning. First, LMP-PET granules are modified by free radical graft polymerization of acrylamide (AAm), an N-halamine precursor, using a twin-screw extruder to conduct reactive melt extrusion. The modified granules are spun into fibers using a melt spinning machine. The fibers are characterized by various analytical techniques. Potent rechargeable antibacterial properties of the fibers are assessed and demonstrated by zone of inhibition test, counting bacterial colonies, and imaging of dead bacteria. It is shown that increasing AAm concentration yields to enhanced rechargeable antibacterial properties while fibers structural properties are preserved.