Cotton fabric was finished with lab prepared silicone finish (F1). It was developed and applied on cotton fabric by pad-dry-cure method for enhancing water absorbency and antibacterial activity. Untreated (F0) and treated (F1) cotton fabric samples were tested for water absorbency using water drop put on the fabrics and recorded the absorption time, by standard test method AATCC Test Method 79-2007 and the antibacterial activity against staphylococcus aureus by AATCC test method 90-2011. Physical properties: stiffness, crease recovery angle and tensile strength were also evaluated. FTIR spectroscopy was also analyzed which interpreted the chemical structure of the substance consequently identification of its functional group. Result showed that the FTIR was ensure the presence of silicones on the lab prepared silicone finished (F1) fabrics and the water absorbency and antibacterial efficacy of the lab prepared silicone finish (F1) on cotton was more than unfinished (F0) fabric. Thus, silicone provides higher functionality to cotton fabric.
