Antibacterial nanofiber

Abstract

Disclosed is an antibacterial nanofiber which comprises a polymer having an electron-withdrawing group and / or an electron-withdrawing atomic group and has an average fiber diameter of not less than 1 nm and less than 1000 nm, wherein the ratio of the binding energy of the minimum unit of the polymer at 25° C. to the binding energy of the electron-withdrawing group and / or the electron-withdrawing atomic group contained in the minimum unit of the polymer at 25° C. is 0.13 or greater. The nanofiber has an antibacterial activity by itself, and therefore can exhibit an antibacterial activity without the need of adding any antibacterial agent.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to an antibacterial nanofiber. More specifically, the invention relates to a nanofiber which has in itself an antibacterial ability, and is capable of exhibiting antibacterial properties even without the addition of an antibacterial agent.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Antibacterially finished textile products and shaped plastics have attracted attention in recent years. For example, garments, medical supplies and household goods conferred with antibacterial properties are currently available on the market.[0003]Various resins, including polyamides (see Patent Documents 1, 2 and 4), polyacrylonitriles (see Patent Documents 3 to 5), polyesters (see Patent Document 4), polylactic acids (see Patent Document 6), polyvinylidene chlorides (see Patent Documents 7 and 8), and polystyrenes (see Patent Documents 8 to 11), are used as the resins making up such antibacterial products.[0004]In these prior-art antibacterial products, an antibacterial finish...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0036]Because the nanofiber of the present invention has in itself an antibacterial ability, there is no need for a separate antibacterial finish.

[0037]Therefore, the inventive nanofibers and textile materials made thereof do not require the use of chemicals such as antibacterial agents, making them safe even for use in garments and hygiene products that come into direct contact with the skin.

[0038]Moreover, medical dressings made with the nanofibers of the invention can be stored in a sterile state without including therein disinfectant or antibacterial compounds, as a result of which such dressings are easy to handle during use and storage.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS

[0039]FIG. 1 is an electron micrograph of the nanofiber nonwoven fabric obtained in

Problems solved by technology

However, a drawback of inorganic antibacterial agents is that, when added to plastics, the influence of heat during the molding process or light irradiation deforms the plastic, markedly lowering the value of the product.

Drawbacks of organic antibacterial agents include poor weather and chemical resistance, and a high acute oral toxicity.

These production steps are very complicated.

Hence, in each of the prior-art disclosures, an antibacterial agent or photocatalyst conferring step that is separate from the fiber or film-forming steps is essential, which takes time, effort and cost.

However, even in hygiene products composed of such polyurethane fibers, because the fibers themselves do not have antibacterial properties, when used, they must be treated with disinfectants at the point of care.

Therefore, although the imparting of antibacterial properties is being carried out, as with the various types of resins mentioned above, conferring fibers with an antibacterial ability takes time, effort and cost.

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