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Antimicrobial functionalized textiles are of high interest due to the wide field of
potential applications. The antimicrobial properties can protect the textile itself from
decomposition by microorganisms. Further points of interest are the suppression and
destruction of pathogenic germs or the support during the therapy of neurodermatitis skin
or the diabetic foot. This chapter is related to the development of aqueous finishing
agents for realization of antibacterial coatings on textiles. The used finishing agents are
based on modified silica nanosols which are the coating forming component in the used
composition. The second component is responsible for the antimicrobial properties of the
coatings. For this antimicrobial agent, a recipe based on natural layered silicate and metal
ions of silver, copper and zinc are used. This composite material acts as storage material
releasing the antibacterial active metal ions. The antibacterial activity is tested after
application on cotton and polyester fabrics by using two different types of bacteria
Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. By variation of the composition of this
nanosol finishing agent, the antibacterial activity can be adjusted in a broad range. This
might be especially useful for applications requiring an intermediate antimicrobial
activity under consideration of the natural skin flora. Besides testing the antibacterial
properties, the prepared textile samples are investigated using light microscopy and
scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and
UV/VIS-spectroscopy. Also the abrasion stability of coatings and textile sam