Multi-response optimization in impregnation of chitosan nanoparticles on polyester fabric

A Taguchi design was employed to optimize the recipe for in vitro antibacterial activity of polyester fabric treated with chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs), which were prepared using sodium tripolyphosphate as cross-linker under ionic gelation method. The CNPs treated polyester fabric with recommended recipe under Taguchi design showed about 5 mm zone of inhibition against E. coli and 5.5 mm against S. aureus. Scanning electron microscopy installed with an energy-dispersive x-ray detector was used to observe the morphology and presence of CNPs on the treated fabric. Based on statistical design, it was found that optimum process conditions were 15 g/l of CNPs, 90 g/l of cross-linker and 140 °C curing temperature. Analysis of variation indicated that the concentration of CNPs and cross-linker significantly affected the antibacterial properties of polyester fabric. Finally, a validation run confirmed the authenticity of proposed recipe. The polyester fabric showed good antibacterial activity with minimum loss of its inherent textile properties.