Microbiological protection textile materials played an important role in the battle against the epidemic. However, the traditional active antimicrobial treatment of textiles suffers from narrow textile applicability, low chemical stability, and poor washability. Here, a high-strength adhesive nanosilver glue was synthesized by introducing nontoxic water-soluble polyurethane glue as a protectant. The as-prepared nanosilver glue could adhere firmly to the fiber surfaces by forming a flexible polymer film and could encapsulate nanosilver inside the glue. The as-prepared nanosilver had a torispherical structure with diameter of ~22 nm, zeta potential of -42.7 mV, and good dispersibility in water, and it could be stored for one year. Further studies indicated that the nanosilver glue had wide applicability to the main fabric species, such as cotton and polyester fabric, surgical mask, latex paint, and wood paint. The antimicrobial cotton and polyester fabrics were prepared by a simple impregnation-padding-baking process. The corresponding antimicrobial activity was positively correlated with nanosilver content. The treated fabrics (500 mg/kg) exhibited ultrahigh washing resistance (maintained over 99% antibacterial rates for 100 times of standard washing) and wear resistance (99% antibacterial rates for 8000 times of standard wearing), equivalent breathability to untreated fabric, improved mechanical properties, and good flexibility, demonstrating a potential in cleanable and reusable microbiological protection textiles.
Keywords: antimicrobial; fabric; nanosilver; reusable; washable.