Highly Durable Antibacterial Textiles: Cross-Linked Protonated Polyaniline-Polyacrylic Acid with Prolonged Electrical Stability
Muhammad Faiz Aizamddin, Zaidah Zainal Ariffin, Nur Asyura Nor Amdan, Mohd Azizi Nawawi, Nur Aimi Jani, Muhd Fauzi Safian, Siti Nur Amira Shaffee, Nik Mohd Radi Nik Mohamed Daud, Maung Maung Myo Thant, Mohd Muzamir Mahat
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide This study addressed the limited antibacterial durability of textile materials, which has suppressed their applications in preventing infectious disease transmission. A class of highly durable antibacterial textiles was developed by incorporating protonated polyaniline (PANI) textile with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as the functional binder via cross-linking polymerization. The resulting PAA–PANI textile exhibits exceptional electrical conductivity, reaching 8.33 ± 0.04 × 10 –3 S/cm when cross-linked with 30% PAA. Remarkably, this textile maintains its electrical stability at 10 –3 S/cm even after 50 washing cycles, demonstrating unparalleled durability. Furthermore, the PANI–PAA textile showcases remarkable antibacterial efficacy, with 95.48% efficiency against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 92.35% efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, even after 50 washing cycles. Comparatively, the PAA–PANI textile outperforms its PANI counterpart by achieving an astounding 80% scavenging activity rate, whereas the latter only displayed a rate of 3.22%. This result suggests a solid integration of PAA–PANI into the textile, leading to sustainable antioxidant release. The successful cross-linking of PAA–PANI in textiles holds significant implications for various industries, offering a foundation for the development of wearable textiles with unprecedented antibacterial durability and electrical stability. This breakthrough opens new avenues for combating infectious diseases and enhancing the performance of wearable technologies.