ARS | Publication request: Adsorption of alkyl-dimethyl-benzyl-ammonium chloride on low-weight greige and bleached cotton nonwovens in different aqueous environments

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 9, 2011
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Previous research has shown the adsorption of alkyl-dimethyl-benzyl-ammonium chloride (ADBAC) on cotton nonwovens is dependent on pretreatment of the substrate, more specifically whether it is greige or bleached fabric. In this work we examine the effect of varying the chemical and physical properties of the ADBAC solutions on the adsorption of the cationic surfactant on low-weight greige and bleached cotton nonwovens. At a constant surfactant concentration the liquor ratio, pH, temperature, and the concentration of electrolyte in the solution were varied and the amount of ADBAC exhausted from solution was monitored using UV/vis spectroscopy. The results show that increasing the pH of the solution increased the amount of ADBAC adsorbed onto both greige and bleached cotton nonwovens. Conversely, increasing the temperature and concentration of salt of the solution reduced the adsorption of ADBAC on both the greige and bleached nonwoven fabrics. This work can aid in the design of chemical formulations for use in antimicrobial cotton based wipes.