PET-Cell Fibers: Synthetic with Natural Effects, Surface Modification of PET Fibers with Luffa Nanowhiskers

Nowadays, an increasing demand emerges for biodegradable materials and products made from renewable resources. The cellulose in the form of cellulosic fibers or nano fibers can play a crucially important role in the enhancement of the performance of an absorbent product and provide water holding capacity. In the present study, a new hydrogel was synthesized based on luffa nanowhiskers prepared by luffa cylindrica fibers as a natural source of cellulose in order to surface modification of polyester fabric. Cellulose nanowhiskers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy. The results confirm the integrity of cellulose nanocrystals after chemical modification and their rod-like morphology with nanometric dimensions. In order to surface modification of knitted polyester fabric, different amounts of nano-hydrogel were deposited on the alkali-modified and unmodified polyester fabrics. Scanning electron microscopy and FTIR results confirm the presence of cellulose based hydrogel on the fabrics. Water retention capacity (WRC), water uptake ability and self-cleaning properties of treated fabrics were evaluated and the results show that the improvement of WRC and relative self-cleaning property of samples. In order to obtain an antibacterial fabric, the neem extract as a natural antibacterial agent was loaded into nano-hydrogel. The results of loading and release behavior of neem extract, represent the controlled drug-delivery properties of the treated fabrics and significant antibacterial properties against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.