Book Section #18012

Abstract

Cotton surface nonwoven materials offer a high porosity and a large surface area. Cotton composites with high antimicrobial activity are breathable and washable materials with a high potential for such medical products as wound dressings, pads and wipes. Given the favourable conditions the surface of cotton provides for microbial growth, much research has been devoted over the last decade to the modification of cotton fibres to produce materials with high antimicrobial activities. To this end, many antimicrobial agents, such as inorganic materials, have been used to produce cotton fibres with antimicrobial activity. However, inorganic antimicrobial agents exhibit toxicity due to their capacity for generating reactive oxygen species. An alternative solution entertained is the application of natural materials and their cotton fibre composites as breathable nonwoven hygiene products. This chapter explores cotton nonwoven materials’ types and properties and their applications as breathable nonwoven hygiene products. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.