A greener approach to impart multiple functionalities on polyester fabric using Schiff base of vanillin and benzyl amine

Schiff base (SB) of vanillin with benzyl amine has been prepared by a simple route by reducing the organic solvents and making the process greener resulting in significant amount of yield. The vanillin itself and its synthesized SB have been integrated into polyester (PET) fabric using high temperature high pressure (HT-HP) dyeing machine at 120 °C using infra-red (IR) heating system to impart multiple functionalities on to the fabric. PET fabric treated with SB has shown antimicrobial activity of more than 90% against E coli (Gram-negative) bacteria; registered good ultra-violet protection factor (UPF) as well as imparted attractive color with increased antioxidant activity. Thus, the study has successfully demonstrated SB as a novel green finishing agent to PET textiles to impart antimicrobial and UPF activity along with certain coloring effect with good fastness. Although vanillin itself integrated on PET textiles has shown antimicrobial effect but after single wash its properties diminishes very quickly which makes it not much useful and the material needs further tweaking to make it a fit for durable finishing agent on PET. The study exactly demonstrated the same wherein it has been proven that SB can potentially replace other hazardous chemicals used in the industry to create functionalities on textiles. Cytotoxicity analysis of the treated fabric also reveals that the compound is biocompatible and completely safe for use.