Recent Advances in Development of Antimicrobial Textiles

Cellulosic textiles mostly facilitate the growth of microorganism due to their larger surface area and capability to hold moisture, which is responsible for several devastating effects not only to consumer but also to the textile itself. Health related consciousness and hygienic perception of products stimulated the intensive research to mitigate the pathogenic effects and development of microbe free materials. Textile researchers have also been paying rigorous attention for developing different antibacterial agents to fulfill the increased demands of ecofriendly antibacterial textiles. The main emphasis of this chapter was to give an overview of advancements in development of different organic and inorganic antibacterial agents, their inclusion during fiber formation or at textile finishing stage, mode of action of different antibacterial agents, durability and the environmental impact of leaching and bound antibacterial textiles.