This paper introduces a new approach for immobilizing a quaternary ammonium 
moiety on a keratinous substrate for enhanced medical applications. The method 
involves the generation of thiols by controlled reduction of cystine disulfide 
bonds in the keratin, followed by reaction with 
[2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride through thiol-ene click 
chemistry. The modified substrate was characterized with Raman and infrared 
spectroscopy, and assessed for its antibacterial efficacy and other performance 
changes. The results have demonstrated that the quaternary ammonium moiety has 
been effectively attached onto the keratin structure, and the resultant keratin 
substrate exhibits a multifunctional effect including antibacterial and 
antistatic properties, improved liquid moisture management property, improved 
dyeability and a non-leaching characteristic of the treated substrate.