Biofunctionalization of Textile Materials. 3. Fabrication of Poly(lactide)-Potassium Iodide Composites with Antifungal Properties

The paper presents a method of obtaining poly(lactide) (PLA) nonwoven fabrics with antifungal properties using potassium iodide as a nonwoven modifying agent. PLA nonwoven fabrics were obtained by the melt-blown technique and subsequently surface modified (PLA→PLA-SM-KI) by the dip-coating method. The analysis of these PLA-SM-KI (0.1%–2%) composites included Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV/VIS transmittance, FTIR spectrometry and air permeability. The nonwovens were subjected to microbial activity tests against Aspergillus niger fungal mold species, exhibiting substantial antifungal activity. The studies showed that PLA-KI hybrids containing 2% KI have appropriate mechanical properties, morphology and demanded antimicrobial properties to be further developed as a potential antimicrobial, biodegradable material.