Effect of Ultraviolet Irradiation on Fixation of Chitosan on Cotton and Poly (Ethylene Telephthalate) Fabrics

Fixation of chitosan on cotton and poly (ethylene telephthalate) (PET) fabrics irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light was studied. The amount of chitosan fixed on UV-irradiated fabrics was found to be appreciably higher than that on fabrics that did not undergo irradiation. In comparing the fixation of chitosan on chemically oxidized cotton fabrics that contain large amounts of aldehydes and carboxyl groups, it can be deduced that electrostatic interactions between chitosan and carboxyl groups formed on the UV-irradiated fabrics may be involved in the fixation reaction. We were able to obtain chitosan fixation durable enough to withstand washing. A similar fixation effect was also observed on fabrics that were treated with low temperature air plasma.