04/03/2024
By Danielle Fretwell

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Plastics Engineering, invites you to attend a Master's Thesis defense by Perin Jhaveri on: Development of durable antimicrobial fabrics through surface functionalization.

Candidate Name: Perin Jhaveri
Degree: Master’s
Defense Date: Wednesday, April, 10, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: ETIC 445

Committee:

  • Advisor: Ramaswamy Nagarajan, Distinguished University Professor, Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Jay Hoon Park, Assistant Professor, Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Ravi Mosurkal, Co-Director of HEROES, DRTI, DEVCOM - Soldier Center

Brief Abstract:

This research seeks to create advanced fabrics with wash-durable antimicrobial characteristics through surface functionalization. To achieve this a new method has been developed to first enhance the surface reactivity of fabrics of interest namely cotton and Nyco (Nylon 66−Cotton 50−50 wt% blend), rendering them responsive to subsequent covalent functionalization. Covalent functionalization of antimicrobial agents on the surface of the fabrics was demonstrated.

A treatment process for the application of silanes was developed using two commercially available silane coupling agents. A systematic design of experiments was executed to optimize the reaction parameters. Furthermore, the simultaneous application of various silane coupling agents on fabrics to amplify their surface reactivity and enable the creation of textiles with multifunctional properties was investigated.

Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) is utilized as an effective, cost-efficient, and safe antimicrobial agent. PHMB was covalently attached onto the surface of cotton and Nyco fabrics. Reaction parameters such as curing temperature and time, silane concentration, and PHMB concentration were optimized to maximize the weight gain and antimicrobial efficacy. The surface of the modified fabrics was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and elemental analysis. Their tensile strength, tear resistance, and air permeability were evaluated according to their respective ASTM standards. The effectiveness of the antimicrobial treatment was tested before and after laundering. This study paves the way for innovative textile applications for the defense industry, healthcare, and beyond.