Development of multifunctional cellulosic materials from natural sources

There has been an increase in the demand for multifunctional textiles worldwide. Natural bio-based treatments of cellulose fibres are a safe method to improve the multifunctionality of those fibres. The purpose of the current study was to modify cotton using extracts of Amla and Arjun to improve its UV protection and antimicrobial activity. 100% cotton plain-woven fabric was scoured and bleached before the application of natural extracts of Amla and Arjun. Fabrics were treated individually with Amla (100 g/L, pH 7) and Arjun (60 g/L, pH 6) extracts at a material-to-liquor ratio of 1:20 for 80 min. at 40 °C, followed by room-temperature drying. A sequential treatment combining Amla and Arjun extracts was also developed to produce Amla-modified Arjun-coated cotton (AMACC), to investigate the combined effects on the functional performance of the cotton fabric. Each modified cotton product was evaluated for UV Protection Factor (UPF), antimicrobial activity via Total Plate Count (TPC), chemical modifications by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Air Permeability, Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR), bursting strength, and tensile strength. The Amla-modified Arjun-coated cotton (AMACC) exhibited the highest UPF among the treated samples of 7.343, compared to 0.558 (control cotton). Antimicrobial results showed significant bacterial reduction in Arjun-coated cotton, lowering TPC from 8.0 × 10 ³ CFU/gm (control) to 6.60 × 10 ² CFU/gm, and further to 6.45 × 10 ² CFU/gm with Amla-modified Arjun-coated cotton. FTIR analysis revealed characteristic spectral changes consistent with the deposition of plant-derived phytochemicals on the cotton surface. Air permeability decreased from 626.16 L/m ² /s (control) to 406.63 L/m ² /s (Amla-modified Arjun-coated cotton). İncontrast, WVTR increased from 1367.69 g/m ² /day to 2083.53 g/m ² /day in the Amla-treated cotton. Bursting strength decreased from 49.94 PSI (control) to 38.32 PSI in the Amla-modified Arjun-coated cotton. Tensile strength parameters similarly declined, with break force reducing from 612.55 N to 296.25 N and rupture force from 321.06 N to 153.59 N in the treated cotton. Natural bio-based treatments successfully enhance UV protection, antimicrobial properties, and moisture management of the cotton. These multifunctional characteristics highlight the potential for sustainable functional textiles to be produced using Amla and Arjun extracts.