Nonwoven fabrics with camouflage and antibacterial properties

Recurring epidemics underscore the need for the development of new military material with masking and antibacterial properties. To develop lightweight camouflage coverings with antibacterial functionality, we designed composites based on two different spunlace nonwoven structures made of hydrophobic polyester fibers and their blends with hydrophilic cellulose fibers. Both nonwoven fabrics were coated with developed green (Gr), brown (Br) and black (Bl) waterborne paints. The re-emission coefficient (R) values for the camouflage coatings are between the upper and lower R limits specified in the defense standard NO-80-A200:2021. Antibacterial functionality was achieved by enriching the camouflage paint formulas with the addition of 2.5 wt% AgNPs@SiO₂ modifier. The values of antibacterial activity (A) vary depending on the type of nonwoven fabric, paint color and bacteria. For modified polyester nonwoven fabric, the A values for color Gr, Br and Bl are 4.02, 2.87 and 4.18 (Staphylococcus aureus) and 6.88, 4.46 and 6.89 (Klebsiella pneumoniae), respectively, and for cellulose/polyester nonwoven fabric, they are 2.25, 2.21 and 5.43 and 6.91, 4.90 and 6.93, respectively. The surface of the coatings is hydrophobic with a water contact angle of 104.5 to 118.5°. These materials serve multiple technical applications that require camouflage and protection against microorganisms.