Antimicrobial activity of hydrophobic cotton coated with N-halamine

γ-(β-Hydroxy-γ-5,5-dimethylhydatoin)-propyltriethoxysilane, a N-halamine precursor, was synthesized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 3-glycidyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. The N-halamine precursor was tethered to the cotton fabric through ether linkages. The treated fabrics can be rendered excellent antimicrobial activity through a bleaching process. It can inactivate 100% of the Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 with a contact time of 10min and 30min, respectively. Over 30% of the chlorine could be regained after the equivalent of 50 machine washes and rechlorination. The coatings resulted in a significant increase of hydrophobicity of cotton samples. In addition, the wrinkle recovery angle of the treated fabrics increased to some degree.