Design and modelling of textiles with antimicrobial properties with polyphosphate obtained from industrial sludges

Polyphosphate (PolyP) enriched with antimicrobial properties is an essential constituent of waste water sludge. Antimicrobial textiles prevent the growth and spread of microbes in face masks and membranes. The aims of this project are to develop a fundamental theory about the extraction of PolyP from solid sludge using biological method, utilisation of PolyP to develop sustainable antimicrobial nanofibers from biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers, and modelling of geometry and nozzle dimensions of coaxial electrospinning. Conventional antimicrobial textiles contain metal oxide nanoparticles (silver, zinc, titanium), phenols and quaternary ammonium salts and toxicity of these chemicals significantly affect the environment which is a major concern of current time. Polylactic acid and polyvinyl chloride, based nanofibers will be synthesized in which PolyP works as shell structure to impart antimicrobial effect.