2. New technologies for textile functionalization

2.8. Biotechnological treatments

Biotechnological treatments 

- in the textile industry - enzymes are well known and used as biological agents - by enzymatic biopolishing

Enzymes in textile bioprocessing:
Cellulase - removal of protruding and tangled fibers from the surface - result: cleaning, softness and shine of the material. Procedure is   
                   especially important for lyocell fibers - due to the occurrence of fibrillation!
Transglutaminase - in wool for shrinkage resistance, increased strength, feel, softness, wettability, dyeing, reduction of release tendency and
                                  protection against damage due to the use of commercial detergents.
Lipases and esterases - for polyester fibers for increasing hydrophilicity and absorption properties.

Advantages of enzymes: processing at a lower temperature, without use of harmful chemicals.
Disadvantages of enzymes: poor stability, poor compatibility with other chemical agents, longer processing time, relatively high cost.

Today, using of biomolecules is promising for treatment of synthetic fibers. 

Group of researchers are used Polylysine (PLL ) biomolecule - as a surface coating agent for simultaneously imparting hydrophilic and antibacterial functions to PA fiber.

It well known that polyamide (PA) fiber possess lower hydrophilic properties and poor wearing comfort and without antibacterial function, but in the same time PA fiber is after polyester (PES) fiber, on the second place of applied fiber for production underwear, outerwear, sports/leisure wear and decorative fabrics. 

Polylysine biomolecules are used to fabricate PA as material with the hydrophilic and antibacterial surface by a dip coating technique. 

Chemical mechanism: The Schiff base reaction between the aldehyde groups of glutaraldehyde (used as crosslinker) and the amino groups of PLL and PA fiber was utilized to increase washing resistance. 

Results: Final effects on the hydrophilicity of PA fabric were studied by the wetting time of water droplet, while the coating effect was further confirmed by water contact angle, moisture adsorption and capillary effect tests. The functional surface of the PLL coated fabric was proved by scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and charge effect. 

Conclusions: The PLL coated fabric exhibited excellent hydrophilic and antibacterial properties with good washing durability. This research suggests that PLL biomolecule can be used as a surface coating agent for imparting hydrophilic and antibacterial functions to PA fiber in the same time.



Fig. 2.8.1. The effects of the dip coating conditions of PLL on the PA fabric. 
The PLL coated fabric exhibited excellent hydrophilic and antibacterial properties with good washing durability. 




Source: W. Zhank et al.: Progres in Organic Coatings, 142, 2020, 105571, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2020.105571


Lipase and chitosan with PLA sutures - hydrophilicity enchancement

Polylactic acid (PLA) surgical sutures - a new type of absorbable sutures that can be degraded and absorbed in the body. 

Surface of PLA sutures - high hydrophobicity  - poor biocompatibility and cellular affinity.

Treatment: PLA sutures were etched by lipase firstly, and then grafted with chitosan - In order to increase the hydrophilicity (number of hydroxyl (-OH) bonds increase),
  • the optimal conditions of treating PLA sutures by lipase were as follows: 45 Celzius degree reaction of temperature, 4.5 g/L concentration of lipase and 8 h reaction time.
  • the optimal conditions of grafting chitosan onto PLA sutures were as follows: 4 h reaction time and 3 g/L concentration of chitosan. The chitosan grafted and loaded on the surface of PLA sutures, and in some areas of the sutures which led to a rough surface and large friction  coefficient. 
Finally, the hydrophilicity of the PLA sutures, treated by lipase and then grafted with chitosan, was greatly improved.
 
                                             
                 Fig. 2.8.2 FTIR: (a) original polylactic acid (PLA) suture;
                       (b) PLA suture treated by lipase.                                         Fig. 2.8.3 FTIR: (a) polylactic acid (PLA) sutures treated by lipase; (b)                                                                                                                                            chitosan, (c) PLA sutures grafted with chitosan.

                                             

Fig. 2.8.4 SEM images of polylactic acid (PLA) sutures: (a) original PLA sutures; (b) PLA sutures grafted with chitosan (x500); (c) PLA sutures grafted with chitosan (x2000); (d) PLA sutures grafted with chitosan (x5000).

Source: Textile Research Journal 2019, Vol. 89(16) 3291–3302, sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/0040517518811936