Structure properties change of ready to use nonwoven wiping materials over storage time

Abstract

An efficient cleaning and disinfection practice plays a crucial role in preventing cross-contamination in food industry, domestic situations as well as nosocomial environment. Pre-impregnated disinfecting wipes (ready-to-use disinfectant wipes) are broadly applied in above-mentioned conditions. Regarding the effectiveness of the disinfectant pre-impregnated wipes, research still stays in case study phase and no comprehensive investigation has been carried out to evaluate the structure and function change of the ready-to-use disinfecting wipes over storage time. This work studied the ageing of the disinfecting wipe over storage time. Chloramine as surface disinfectant and 3 commercial wiping materials of polyester (PET), 55% cellulose/45%PET and pure cellulose have been selected. The FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) and DMA (Dynamic mechanical analysis) result revealed that oxidation occurred on the textile substrates during the storage of the pre-impregnated disinfecting wipes with special emphasis to the cellulose polymer. Moreover, the occurred oxidation changed the mechanical properties of the cellulose-containing wipes increasing their viscous properties over the elastic ones