Multifunctional Finishing of Wool Fabrics by Chitosan UV-grafting

Chitosan was grafted on wool knitted fabrics, by ultraviolet radiation, in order to confer peculiar properties increasing the textile value and its applications. Results showed first of all the antimicrobial properties conferred by the treatment. Chitosan weight on was optimized while an oxidative pre-treatment of the wool as well as the impregnation method were investigated to improve the effectiveness of treated fabrics. Moreover treated wool fabrics showed an increased dyeability towards acid dyes and antifelting properties with respect to untreated fabrics, while no effect was revealed toward antipilling properties.