Environmentally sound approach for imparting antibacterial and UV-protection functionalities to linen cellulose using ascorbic acid.

In this work, multifunctional linen cellulose fabrics were facilely developed by using an eco-friendly finishing formulations and the pad-dry/microwave fixation technique. Both reactant resin and citric acid have been employed as low- and zero-formaldehyde crosslinkers along with their proper catalyzing agents. Individual incorporation of ascorbic acid and selected phenolic compounds namely salicylic acid, resorcinol, and gallic acid, as natural active ingredient (AI-OH) along with PEG-400 or modified nonionic silicone-softener in ether- or ester-crosslinking formulation and their impacts on the performance, functional properties and degree of coloration of the finished fabrics were investigated. FTIR, SEM, and EDX analysis of selected samples were carried out. Results revealed that type of crosslinker, kind and concentration of active ingredient, as well as type of additive play an important role in the imparted functional properties. The durability of the imparted antibacterial and UV protection functional properties was confirmed by washing test.