Ln-MOF in production of durable antimicrobial and UV-Protective fluorescent cotton fabric for potential application in military textiles

Abstract

Industrialization of military textiles faces many challenges and some requirements such as durability, protection and suitability for hostile environment must be provided. Herein, fluorescent protective cotton with ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-protection and antimicrobial property was currently prepared via the immobilization of lanthanide-metal organic framework (Ln-MOF). Cotton fabrics were primarily activated via cationization process with 3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride to obtain the cationized cotton (Q-cotton). Subsequently, Ln-MOFs based on Europium (Eu) and Terbium (Tb) were separately immobilized within cotton and Q-cotton fabrics. The obtained Ln-MOF@fabrics showed good fluorescent character, while three and four emission bands were estimated for Eu-MOF@fabric and Tb-MOF@fabric, respectively, related to the electron transition from 5D₀ to 7F_0-4 in Eu³⁺ and from 5D₄ to 7F_3-6 in Tb³⁺. After Ln-MOF incorporation, UVR-protection factor (UPF) was significantly enlarged from 1.9 (insufficient UPF) to 22.1-25.6 (good UPF) without cationization and to 32.4-37.8 (very good UPF) for Q-cotton. Against three different pathogens (Escherichia coli, staphylococcus Aureus and Candida albicans), Ln-MOF@fabrics exhibited good microbial reduction of 68-79% and 81-91% in case of cotton and Q-cotton, respectively. The cationization improved the functionality and durability of fabrics, while the acquired functions were still existed even after 10 repetitive washings.