Abstract
Two new N-halamine polyelectrolytes were synthesized, characterized, and deposited onto cotton fabric from a water solution using a layer-by-layer assembly technique. The fabrics were rendered biocidal by a dilute household bleach solution and challenged with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The chlorinated swatches (five bilayer coated) inactivated ~106 Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 within only 2 min of contact time. Although the coatings were susceptible to hydrolysis when exposed to repeated washing, the stability of the system was improved by a posttreatment with a cross-linking agent, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane.
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