Anti-microbial rayon fibres through radiation-induced grafting of 4-vinyl pyridine and acrylonitrile: a potential material for wound dressing

Abstract

Rayon is a cellulose-based synthetic fibre produced from regenerated wood. Modern fabric manufacturing techniques endow rayon with unique properties that help to imitate the properties of cotton, silk, and other natural fibres, making rayon a versatile fabric that may provide the same level of comfort at a lower cost. It has also been used in wound management as surgical dressings. The usage of rayon suffers from major drawbacks due to its poor strength and least resistance to weathering conditions, limiting its application in high-performance conditions. Therefore, graft copolymerization can make various alterations to satisfy the need to treat wounds. In the current study, acrylonitrile (AN), 4-vinyl pyridine (4-VP), and their binary combination were copolymerized onto rayon fibres utilizing the mutual irradiation method using gamma radiation as the initiator. The grafting yield was optimized for varying parameters, including the concentration of vinyl monomers, total dose, and the amount of water. FTIR spectroscopy supported the grafting’s existence. The grafted fibres’ moisture retention was assessed at the proper relative humidity. The antibacterial activity of the grafted rayon fibres was assessed against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus using the Agar disc diffusion method. The grafted fibres exhibited better antibacterial properties than the ungrafted rayon. Thus, rayon fibres can be a potential candidate for better wound healing due to their enhanced moisture retention, abrasion resistance, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity.