Self-assembly amino-quinone network coatings onto polyester fabric via single-sided spraying of natural polyphenols and polyethyleneimine for highly efficient moisture conducting and bacteriostatic properties.

[Display omitted] • Self-crosslinking of natural polyphenols and dopamine to form AQN. • Chemical crosslinking agent was not used in the amino-quinone network (AQN) • Janus A/Q-PET fabric has highly efficient moisture conducting, antibacterial properties. • The preparation process is simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Unidirectional water transport properties of textiles are important to keep the human body comfortable. In this study, an amino-quinone network (AQN) coating was modified onto hydrophobic polyester (PET) fabric via single-sided spraying of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and natural polyphenols, dopamine (DA) or tannic acid (TA), for highly efficient moisture conducting and bacteriostatic properties. The amino/quinone compound (A/Q) solution was sprayed onto the fabric, creating a hydrophilic to hydrophobic wetting gradient, so the modified fabric (Janus A/Q-PET fabric) had diode-like unidirectional water transport properties. In addition, they also showed excellent bacteriostatic properties, with over 98% inhibition of both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Janus A/Q-PET fabric had good air permeability, coolness, and excellent performance in inhibiting bacterial invasion and growth, etc. The modified side of the fabric remained hydrophilic after 30 wash cycles or 240 mechanical wear cycles. Highly efficient moisture conducting and bacteriostatic PET fabric has a lot of potential for use in summer outdoor sports functional textiles. The preparation method for the multifunctional Janus A/Q-PET fabric is simple, efficient and environmentally friendly, providing a new green way to prepare functional textiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]