Cytocompatible and regenerable antimicrobial cellulose modified by N-halamine triazine ring

This study reports the formation of cyanuric chloride hydrolysate and its attachment onto cellulose fibers though covalent bonding. The hydrolysis product, 2,4-dichloro-6-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine, is prepared in water solution at ambient temperature, and directly used as a treatment solution for the treatment of cotton fabrics without any prior work-up. The triazine treated fabrics are rendered antimicrobial through exposure to chlorine bleach. The oxidative chlorine bonded to the triazine-treated cotton is very stable and regenerable to standard washing tests and UVA irradiation test. The N-halamine modified cotton fabrics demonstrate excellent antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43895 with 7-logs reductions within the contact time of 10 and 5 min, respectively. In addition, the results of in vitro cell viability test suggested that the N-halamine modified fabrics have excellent cytocompatibility to mammalian cells.