An organic–inorganic hybrid antibacterial material based on Ag/AgCl and quaternary ammoniummodified silicate (Ormosil (NR+4 Cl-)) was prepared by sol–gel processes and an in situ reduction method, in which silver nitrate, tetraethoxysilane
(TEOS), N-trimethoxysilylpropyl-N,N,Ntrimethylammonium chloride (TMAPS) and N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]diethylenetriamine (ATS) acted as precursor, linker and colloidal suspension stabilizer, respectively. The physical properties of the Ormosil (NR+4 Cl-)
and Ormosil (NR+4 Cl-)/Ag hybrids were examined using XPS and TGA spectroscopy, the results of which indicated that Ag/AgCl was immobilized in channels by dipolar interactions with the Ormosil (NR+4 Cl-) matrix. Ormosil (NR+4
Cl-) and Ormosil (NR+4 Cl-)/Ag sol solutions were used to functionalize non-woven fabrics by simply immersing the textiles into the dispersions in order to obtain antimicrobial fabrics. The antibacterial effects of the Ormosil/Ag- and Ormosil (NR+4
Cl-)/Ag-modified fabrics against Gram-negative P. aeruginosa and E. coli, and Grampositive S. aureus and B. subtilis, were assessed using the zone of inhibition and the plate-counting method. The antibacterial efficacy was maintained even after 20 laundry
cycles. The results indicated that the Ormosil/Ag and Ormosil (NR+4 Cl-)/Ag hybrids are useful as non-leaching agents imparting durable antimicrobial properties to fabrics.
