Bactericidal and virucidal fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antimicrobial fabrics are often not durable, can be harmful due to the use of toxic substances like heavy metals and volatile organic materials, and generate costly wastewater during production and treatment.
Innovation Solution
A bactericidal and virucidal fabric is developed using a formulation that includes a beta-cyclodextrin-containing compound associated with zinc ions and water, which is applied through a dip-coating process, ensuring a safe, durable, and non-toxic antimicrobial treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional germicides (heavy metals, volatile organic materials) are used to impregnate fabric for antimicrobial activity, then the fabric gains strong antibacterial and antiviral properties, but the fabric becomes harmful to skin and causes environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
Beta-cyclodextrin serves as an intermediary carrier that binds zinc ions and delivers them to the fabric in a controlled manner. The cyclodextrin molecule acts as a mediator between the zinc salt and the fabric fiber, enabling safe and effective antimicrobial treatment without direct contact with harmful substances
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters by using zinc salts with specific properties (water solubility, reactivity) and controlling the pH environment during treatment. By adjusting parameters like zinc salt concentration, pH level, and drying temperature, the process achieves effective antimicrobial activity while maintaining safety and environmental compatibility
2Reliability
If conventional germicides are used to treat fabric, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but the fabric shows poor durability after washing and drying
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric is pre-treated with beta-cyclodextrin solution before zinc salt application. This preliminary action creates a receptive surface that enhances zinc ion binding and ensures durable attachment of the antimicrobial agent through subsequent washing and drying cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where beta-cyclodextrin and zinc ions work together on the fabric. The cyclodextrin-zinc complex forms a stable composite that adheres well to fabric fibers, providing long-lasting antimicrobial activity that survives repeated washing and drying
3Productivity
If conventional germicide impregnation is used, then antimicrobial fabric is produced, but large amounts of wastewater and toxic chemicals are generated requiring costly treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts potentially harmful zinc salts into a beneficial antimicrobial treatment through the cyclodextrin mediation process. The zinc ions that could be toxic are transformed into a safe and effective antimicrobial agent when delivered through the cyclodextrin carrier, turning a harmful substance into a beneficial treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The process extracts only the essential antimicrobial component (zinc ions) from complex germicide formulations, eliminating unnecessary toxic chemicals and volatile organic materials. This extraction approach produces cleaner wastewater with lower treatment requirements while maintaining effective antimicrobial activity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The treated fabric demonstrates effective antibacterial and antiviral activity against various pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, H1N1, H3N2, and coronavirus strains, while maintaining stability through multiple wash cycles and being environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a beta-cyclodextrin-containing compound associated with one or more metal ions including at least zinc ions
Implementation Method 2
cyclodextrin is able to cause conformational change and/or denature some of the bacterial or viral proteins when the bacteria or viruses are in contact with some of the functional groups of cyclodextrin derivatives
Implementation Method 3
A bactericidal and virucidal fabric prepared from a formulation including a beta-cyclodextrin-containing compound associated with one or more metal ions including at least zinc ions and water is provided
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a bactericidal and virucidal fabric selected from cotton or non-woven fabric prepared by formulations and methods described herein. The formulations include a beta-cyclodextrin-containing compound associated with one or more metal ions including at least zinc ions and water for providing bactericidal and virucidal properties to the fabric dip-coated with the formulations according to various embodiments of the present invention. The as-prepared fabric has an increment in Grams per Square Meter (GSM) value of approximately 13.0 to 20.0 g/m2, an antibacterial activity value of at least 3.0, and/or antiviral activity value of at least 2.5.