Solvent‐crazed PET fibers imparting antibacterial activity by release of Zn²⁺

Abstract

Abstract Poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers containing zinc chloride in the fiber bulk were prepared by solvent crazing. Fibers containing 6 g/Kg and 13 g/Kg Zn 2+ were investigated. SEM‐EDX analyses and the formation of the pink bis(1,5‐dithiocarbazonato‐ N , S ) complex inside the fibers confirm the presence of zinc. UV‐Vis spectroscopy indicates a slow release of zinc ions into the aqueous media and, thus, the fibers serve as a release system to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli during the first exposure. Thermal annealing of the freshly prepared fibers above T g was shown to modify the release profile so that bacterial growth was also inhibited during repetitive and prolonged exposures. The washing fastness is fair and after 10 washing cycles, ∼ 30% of the original zinc content still remains in the fiber. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009