Modified cotton fabrics with poly (3-(furan-2-carboamido) propionic acid) and poly (3-(furan-2-carboamido) propionic acid)/gelatin hydrogel for UV protection, antibacterial and electrical properties

This research aimed to prepare smart cotton fabrics with multi functions for antibacterial activity, UV protection and electrical conductivity via in situ coating with conductive polymer and conductive hydrogel. Therefore, 3-(furan-2-carboamido) propionic acid was synthesized followed by polymerization using ceric ammonium nitrate. In addition, cotton fabrics coated with 3-(furan-2-carboamido) propionic acid via in situ polymerization and by the hydrogel that based on poly (3-(furan-2-carboamido) propionic acid) and gelatin which have been performed via in situ gelation process. The chemical structure and morphology of the 3-(furan-2-carboamido) propionic acid (monomer) and the synthesized polymer (PFu) were investigated by H¹NMR, IR, SEM, TGA and DSC. Where, the treated fabrics (PFu-T and PFu-G-T) are characterized by SEM, FTIR and contact angle. Furthermore, the AC electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of PFu, PFu-T, PFu-G-T and blank were investigated over the frequency range of 20 Hz–10 MHz at room temperature using impedance spectroscopy where the electric conductivity values are 1.74 × 10^-5, 7.5 × 10^-8, 4 × 10^-7, 8.24 × 10^-11 (S·cm)^-1, respectively. In addition, the anti-bacterial activity of PFu-T, PFu-G-T and blank was assessed versus gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria where, PFu-G-T shows activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, PFu-T, PFu-G-T showed high UV protection especially for PFu-G-T.