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ToF‐SIMS and XPS characterization of antimicrobial textiles for the food processing industry
Author(s) -
Bru Céline,
Bessueille François,
Grossiord Carol,
Chadeau Elise,
Oulahal Nadia,
Darroux Christine,
Ferreira Isabelle,
Bourgeois Michel,
Simon Farida,
Rimbault Fabrice,
Yu Caroline,
Leonard Didier
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
surface and interface analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-9918
pISSN - 0142-2421
DOI - 10.1002/sia.3654
Subject(s) - x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , antimicrobial , secondary ion mass spectrometry , biocide , chemistry , textile , polymer , surface modification , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , materials science , mass spectrometry , chromatography , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering
Abstract Textiles for the food processing industry are treated by a patented technology combining an ionic polymer (antimicrobial agent) and a precipitating agent to obtain an insoluble deposit expected to exhibit antimicrobial properties. ToF‐SIMS and XPS are used in the understanding of the surface chemistry at various steps of treatments (cleaning step prior to surface modification, antimicrobial deposit, industrial ISO 15797 washing). ToF‐SIMS and XPS analyses show that the signatures of the antimicrobial treatment are detected at the surface after treatment. After industrial ISO 15797 washings, the precipitating agent is rapidly removed (possibly replaced by washing agent components) while the antimicrobial agent (PHMB) is still detected but is significantly removed from the surface after five washings. ToF‐SIMS and XPS data are compared to microbiological tests specifically intended in relation with food processing industry applications. After the antimicrobial treatment, the surface is biocide as well as after a single ISO 15797 washing, but after 5 washings, either the surface is slightly active (cotton‐based textile) or not active anymore (polyester‐based textile). The XPS N atomic percentage variation is unable to explain this difference. Even though a slight difference is observed for the ToF‐SIMS normalized intensity for m/z = 184.1561 (PHMB molecular peak) between C/P and P/C samples, it can hardly be concluded that this would be the only explanation for the difference in activity. ToF‐SIMS indicates that cotton is the textile component still detected at the surface of the washed samples. This could play a role in the remaining efficiency of the antimicrobial treatment after industrial washing. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.