The problem of urinary tract infections and unpleasant odor is a persistent problem for patients who are suffering from urine-incontinent. For the most part, those patients fail to control the time of discharge of urine and excrements. The risk of bacterial growth increases since the absorbing materials is always wet and in direct contact with the skin. The urine concentrates in the absorbing article and gets warm for long time, because of the closeness to the body, which creates a conductive atmosphere for bacterial growth. Such bacteria, especially Proteus bacilli, can break down urea to ammonia, through the secretion of urease enzyme. The ammonia not only produces unpleasant odor but also increases the pH of the medium as well, which may result in skin damage, diaper rash. An odor-inhibiting and germicidal protective layer composed of Electrospun Cellulose acetate/lignin/Copper II-complex nanofibers composite was implemented to solve such a problem. A bidentate Schiff base of amino-4-phenylchlorothiazole was reacted with copper salt to produce germicidal activity. Cellulose acetate/Lignin nanofibers were produced via electrospinning in different weight ratios. The presence of Lignin in the matric allowed a controlled release of the active ingredient, copper-complex. The morphology of CA/Lig/Cu-compex nanofiber mats were characterized using SEM. In addition, thermal behavior of such fibers were investigated via thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Copper complex was loaded to the nanofiber system and its antibacterial activity was assessed against common strains of bacteria, which grown in diapers, such as Staphylococcus aureus Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Cellulose acetate/lignin/copper ii-complex nanofiber composites for hygienic applications: Germicidal and deodorizing materials

251st National Meeting (2016)

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