Effect of microwave curing on antimicrobial activity of chitosan biguanidine hydrochloride treated wool fabrics

An alternative microwave curing system was used for curing chitosan biguanidine hydrochloride treated wool fabric to study its effects on the antimicrobial activity of the fabric. The effects of microwave curing at different irradiation power and treatment time on the physical properties of wool fabrics and the adsorption rate of chitosan biguanidine hydrochloride on wool fabrics has been examined. Comparisons were made between conventionally cured wool fabric and microwave‐cured wool fabric treated with chitosan biguanidine hydrochloride. The influence of microwave curing on the efficiency of crosslinking was studied by using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Microwave‐cured samples showed a higher degree of crosslinking than conventionally cured samples without high losses in strength properties. Antimicrobial properties and the durability of the finish after repeated laundering results also supported the higher degree of crosslinking that occurred in microwave curing.