Synthesis of Cotton Fibers Impregnated with Bactericidal Hydrotalcites to be used in Medical Textile Supplies

Hydrotalcites or layered double hydroxides are solids having laminar structures with remarkable basic properties. They can be synthesized with bactericidal metal ions incorporated into the structure. Both, basic species and metals can provide a high activity against microorganisms. Regarding this, it should be interesting to obtain a novel composite material consisting of cotton fibers impregnated with antimicrobial hydrotalcites to be used, for example, in medical textile supplies. In the present study, the retention of antimicrobial hydrotalcites in cotton fibers using mechanical mixing procedures was evaluated. The impregnation was carried out by three procedures, consisting in stirring the hydrotalcite with the cotton fibers in a rotatory or orbital system or in an ultrasonic apparatus. Composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The retention of hydrotalcites in the fibers depended on the impregnation method. The composite obtained by the ultrasound procedure showed better retention.