Synthesis and Durable Antimicrobial and Anti-fungal Properties of Triclosan and Chitosan Co-grafted Polypropylene Nonwovens

Abstract Polypropylene (PP) nonwovens have been widely used in disposable protective masks and protective clothing, which are essential to protect healthcare workers from highly infectious diseases such as COVID-19. However, realizing the disinfection reusable function of PP nonwovens to reduce carbon emission or white waste pollution after extensive use has been still a great challenge. Herein, Durable Antimicrobial and Anti-fungal Post-disinfection polypropylene nonwovens were developed by co-grafting of Triclosan and Chitosan. The antibacterial performance test results showed that the as-prepared co-grafted polypropylene nonwoven has a > 99.9% of antimicrobial efficiency against E. coli , S. aureus as well as multi-drug-resistant P. aeruginosa , and the excellent anti-fungal performance against fungus ( C. albicans ) and mold ( A. niger ). Moreover, it retained excellent Antimicrobial and Anti-fungal Properties after disinfection 3 times with boiling water, 40 × diluted 84 disinfectant and 75% alcohol for 5 min. This work provided ideas for developing more effective pathogen protection and longer-lasting personal protective equipment to reduce the environmental impact of medical masks and personal protective equipment in terms of energy consumption, carbon emissions and waste generation. Graphical Abstract Polypropylene (PP) nonwovens have been widely used in disposable protective masks and protective clothing, which are essential to protect healthcare workers from highly infectious diseases such as COVID-19. The as-prepared PP-AA-CS-TCL nonwovens exhibited an antibacterial efficiency of > 99.9% against E. coli , S. aureus , and P. aeruginosa as well as the excellent anti-fungal properties against C. albicans and A. niger. And the antimicrobial and anti-fungal activities were maintained even after disinfection 3 times with boiling water, 40x diluted 84 disinfectant and 75% alcohol for 5 minutes each. This provides a new way of thinking about reusing disposable surgical products with polypropylene nonwoven and reducing environmental pollution.