Microwave-Assisted Modification of Nonwoven Fabric: Inducing Absorbency and Antibacterial Properties

Antibacterial absorbent structures have been fabricated in two steps through partially and fully-irradiation modification using the glycidyl crosslinked acrylate-based microgels, synthesized by inverse emulsion polymerization. ATR-FTIR, SEM, optical microscope, as well as antibacterial activity, absorbency in DW and saline solution, have validated the modification process. The microstructures of fibrils have shown great integrity in coating, and absorbency has been induced to the both fully- and partially- irradiation modified structures. They have presented ample antibacterial behavior againstS. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus); the ratio of inhibition zone area to the sheet area varies between 1.3 and 4.8 in terms of microgel chemical structure (comonomers) and reaction condition (thermal or microwave).