Preparation of antibacterial down fibers by chemical grafting using novel guanidine salt oligomer.

A novel antimicrobial agent polypentamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PPMG) was prepared by melt polycondensation with pentamethylenediamine and guanidine hydrochloride. The effects of reaction conditions on the molecular structure of PPMG were investigated. In order to develop value‐added down fibers with efficient and durable antibacterial performance, PPMG was grafted onto down fibers using glutaric dialdehyde as the coupling agent. It was confirmed that PPMG was successfully grafted onto down fibers through chemical bonding, and the grafting efficiencies were above 80%. The inhibition rates against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus of the modified down fibers reached over 99.9%, and such antimicrobial properties were still maintained after 20 washings with water or detergent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]