Abstract
Due to increasingly stringent safety standards for textile materials, a pressing need has arisen to impart multifunctional properties to fabrics, particularly flame resistance and antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study is to develop a hybrid coating based on copper, phosphorus, and silicon (Cu-P-Si) for the functionalization of cotton and linen fabrics. The coating was deposited using a two-step method consistent with the principles of “green chemistry.” Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results confirmed the formation of a uniform coating with the inorganic phase fixed on the fibers. It was found that the treatment reduces the charring length of the fabric compared to the untreated sample. Antibacterial tests were conducted using gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria, which demonstrated complete inhibition of bacterial growth with an efficacy of >99.9%. It was found that the coating increases the tensile strength of the modified samples by 16%, which may be attributed to the fiber-structuring effect. A toxicological safety assessment confirmed that the samples meet the established requirements. The developed Cu-P-Si hybrid coating provides cellulose-based textile materials with a combination of flame-retardant and antimicrobial properties. Thus, the developed technology for finishing cellulose-based textile materials confirms its potential for creating protective clothing and products, as well as for use in public interiors and educational institutions.