Cotton fibers have received considerable attention owing to their functional properties. Current research endeavors have shifted toward devising straightforward and versatile approaches for modifying cotton fibers. Herein, a simple and feasible method was proposed for preparing multifunctional cotton fibers. This method entailed subjecting cotton fibers to alkaline conditions, prompting the epoxy group in epoxidized soybean oil to engage in a ring-opening reaction with the hydroxyl group in cotton fibers and the amino group in polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride. Epoxidized soybean oil acted as a bridge, forming a covalent bond between polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride and cotton fibers, thereby facilitating the cationization of cotton fibers. Structural changes in the modified cotton fibers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The modified cotton fibers were also evaluated for their dyeing, antibacterial, and hydrophobic properties. The results demonstrated that the dye exhaustion and total dye utilization of modified cotton in salt-free dyeing were much higher than those of raw cotton in conventional dyeing. The water contact angle of the modified cotton fiber reached 139.5°, and their antibacterial properties were partially improved. Importantly, this chemical modification was performed under mild conditions, highlighting its simplicity and environmentally friendly nature.
Keywords: antibacterial; cationization; cotton fabric; hydrophobic; salt-free dyeing.