Antimicrobial characteristics of N-halaminated chitosan salt/cotton knit composites

Chlorinated chitosan salt/cotton knit composites were prepared, and their water absorbencies, physical and antimicrobial properties, and rechargeabilities were investigated. The water absorbencies of the composites dissolved in acetic acid were higher than in hydrochloric acid. The tensile stress and strain of the composites decreased with increasing citric acid content. The active-chlorine contents of the composites increased with both increasing chlorination time and increasing concentration of the chlorination solution. Antimicrobial tests indicated that the composites had high antimicrobial activity: they completely eliminated Esherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. After rechlorination, the active-chlorine content of the composite was slightly higher than that after the initial chlorination, which indicates that the chitosan salt/cotton knit composites are highly rechargeable.