FORM-2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(see section 10 and rule 13) MULTIFUNCTIONAL SYNTHETIC FIBERS AND FABRICS
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED
an Indian Company
of 3rd Floor, Makers Chambers-IV
222, Nariman Point, Mumbai-400021,
Maharashtra, India.
Inventors:
1. THALIYILVEEDU SREEKUMAR
2. KELKAR ANIL KRISHNA
3. JAIN ASHWIN KUMAR
4. UPASANI PRASAD SURESH
5. AGARWAL UDAY SHANKAR
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE:
The present disclosure relates to a polymer composition having excellent moisture managing properties and improved spinning/processing performance. The present disclosure further relates to synthetic fibers and fabrics derived from the polymer composition of the present disclosure.
BACKGROUND:
Synthetic fibers, for example, polyester, polypropylene and nylon are always found to be competing with natural fibers such as cotton, silk and wool on its natural feel and dull look. The presence of shining luster, synthetic feel and low moisture transport properties make synthetic fibers less appealing for use in garments and hence natural fibers could not be replaced completely by synthetic fibers. However, at a commercial scale, several efforts have been made to provide synthetic fibers with improved cotton like properties, for example by the use of certain additives such as Ti02, BaS04 and the like. Other than using additives, the use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to control the moisture management properties in the synthetic fibers is also well practiced. However, with the use of substantially higher amount of PEG, polymers are known to become easily degradable and sticky. And during the spinning of such polymers, the filaments tend to stick to each other, thereby, resulting in problems during winding and unwinding of the synthetic fibers.
EXISTING KNOWLEDGE:
Japanese Patent Document 2182970 discloses a sheath core type polyester composite fiber useful for underwear, wool forfutons and socks. The composite fiber has polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a core component and a copolymer of PET and PEG as a sheath component. The electric conduction property is achieved by immersing the fiber in a dispersion of zinc oxide and subsequently pressing at a temperature above the softening point of the sheath component and below the

softening point of the core component. The sheath component of the fiber disclosed in the aforementioned patent has a softening point in the range of 80-180 °C which is possible only with a very high loading of PEG as against the amount generally required for getting moisture management properties. The zinc oxide in the bi-component fiber of the aforementioned JP patent document is embedded through the fiber surface (sheath) and thus the concentration of zinc oxide is more at the surface of the synthetic fiber and gradually decreases towards the center.
European Patent Document 735163 discloses easily producible electro-conductive conjugate fibers having excellent electro-conductivity and high whiteness. The conjugate fiber includes a non electro-conductive filamentary segment (A) formed from a fiber forming polymer material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and at least one electro-conductive filamentary segment (B) incorporated with the segment (A) so as to form a core-in-sheath type fiber. The non electro-conductive filamentary segment (A) comprises polyoxyethylene glycol as an antistatic agent. The electro-conductive filamentary segment (B) comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix and a plurality of electro-conductive multilayered particles dispersed in the polymer matrix. The aforementioned EP patent specifically discloses electro-conductive fibers and remains completely silent on the moisture management properties of the polymer composition and the spinning/processing performance of such a polymer compositions.
United States Patent Application 20060142454 discloses glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET-G) film having excellent flame resistance and low smoking emission properties. The film contains flame retardants such as zinc oxide, lubricants and an acrylic processing aid.
United States Patent Document 4399179 discloses a polyester laminated film with excellent transparency which comprises a transparent layer and a delustered layer laminated on at least one side face of said transparent layer. The transparent layer is formed by a bi-axially stretched polyester film mainly composed of polyethylene

terephthalate, while the delustered layer is made of at least one uniaxially stretched polyester filament which is mainly composed of a polyethylene terephthate copolymer (PET+PEG copolymer) and contains ZnO as an inert particle. The aforementioned US patent also remains silent on controlling the moisture management properties of the polymer composition.
Though, the above described and other prior-art references disclose synthetic fibers loaded with polyethylene glycol and other additives, the problems allied with the high loading of polyethylene glycol such as fiber sticking tendency and poor spinning performance have still not been resolved properly.
Therefore, there is felt a need for providing synthetic fibers having excellent moisture management properties and improved spinning/processing performance, wherein the sticking tendency of the fibers is considerably reduced.
OBJECTS:
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are described below:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a polymer composition having excellent moisture management properties and improved spinning/processing performance when such polymer composition is subjected to spinning to form synthetic fibers.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide multifunctional synthetic fibers/yarns having excellent moisture management properties and spinning/processing performance wherein the sticking tendency of the fibers during the spinning of a polymer composition is considerably reduced.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide multifunctional synthetic fibers having further advantages of UV protection, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, dye-ability, dullness and cotton look.
Yet further object of the present disclosure is to provide articles such as fabrics and the like derived from the multifunctional synthetic fibers of the present disclosure wherein the articles are easily dye-able and possess multi-functional properties such as UV protection, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, dullness and cotton look.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DEFINITIONS:
As used in the present disclosure, the following words and phrases are generally intended to have the meanings as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.
The term "bi-component fiber" in the context of the present disclosure refers to a synthetic fiber comprised of two polymers of different chemical and/or physical properties wherein both the polymers are extruded from the same spinneret so as to have both the polymers within the same filament, with the fiber cross-section including but is not limited to core/sheath, side by side, eccentric sheath/core, pie wedge, segment pie, islands/sea and hollow pie wedge.
The term "denier" in the context of the present disclosure refers to the linear mass density of a filament expressed as the mass in grams per 9000 meters of filament.
The term "wicking" in the context of the present disclosure refers to a spontaneous flow of a liquid in a porous substance, driven by capillary forces. Wicking is a result of spontaneous wetting in a capillary system.

The term "wicking height" in the context of the present disclosure refers to the height (in cm) to which the water is transported along the fabric strip when one end of a fabric strip is secured vertically while the opposite end is dipped in water. Higher wicking values show greater capability of transporting liquid water.
The term "fiber" in the context of the present disclosure means a staple fiber or filament yarn.
Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the invention to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure provides a polymer composition comprising:
(i) at least one polymer matrix selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene and polyamide in an amount ranging between 90 and 98.625% by weight; (ii) at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO, Ag2O, Fe2O3 and CuO in an amount varying between 0.125 and 2.5 % by weight; and (iii) polyethylene glycol in an amount ranging between 1.25 and 7.5% by weight, wherein each of said weight percentages are with respect to the total weight of the polymer composition.
Typically, the polymer matrix is polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate.

Typically, the metal oxide is ZnO.
In accordance with another aspect, the present disclosure provides a synthetic fiber composed of the polymer composition of the present disclosure.
Typically, the synthetic fiber is a mono-component fiber.
Typically, the synthetic fiber is a bi-component fiber.
Typically, the bi-component fiber is a sheath-core type fiber having an inner core component surrounded by an outer sheath component.
Typically, the inner core component is composed of at least one polymer matrix selected from the group consisting polyester, polypropylene and polyamide.
Typically, the outer sheath component is composed of polyethylene terephthalate as a polymer matrix uniformly incorporated therein with (i) at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO, Ag2O, Fe2O3 and CuO, and (ii) polyethylene glycol.
Preferably, the metal oxide is ZnO and present in an amount varying between 0.125 % and 2.5 %. based on the total weight of the synthetic fiber.
Typically, the polyethylene glycol is present in an amount varying between 1.25 % and 7.5 % , based on the total weight of the synthetic fiber.
Typically, the weight proportion of the sheath component to the core component ranges between 25/75 and 75/25.
Typically, the synthetic fiber composed of the polymer composition of the present disclosure is characterized by denier of 80/36.

In accordance with still another aspect, the present disclosure provides fabrics comprising synthetic fibers of the present disclosure.
Typically, the fabric is characterized by a wicking height of at least 15 cm.
In accordance with yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a process for preparing a bi-component synthetic fiber, comprising co-extruding through a single spinneret
(A) a first polymer melt comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene and polyamide; and
(B) a second polymer melt comprising polyester as a polymer matrix having uniformly dispersed therein with (i) at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO, Ag2O, FO2O3 and CuO, and (11) polyethylene glycol to form a bi-component fiber comprising a core component composed of the first polymer melt and a sheath component composed of the second polymer melt.
Typically, the metal oxide is ZnO and present in an amount varying between 0.125 % and 2.5 %, based on the total weight of the synthetic fiber.
Typically, the polyethylene glycol is present in an amount varying between 1.25 % and 7.5 %, based on the total weight of the synthetic fiber.
Typically, the weight proportion of the sheath component to the core component ranges between 25/75 and 75/25.
In accordance with a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a process for preparing a mono-component fiber, said process comprising melt spinning a polymer melt comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene and polyamide uniformly dispersed therein with (i) at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO, Ag2O, Fe2O3 and CuO; and (ii) polyethylene glycol to form a mono-component fiber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
The present disclosure overcomes the disadvantages of the prior-art allied with the higher loading of polyethylene glycol in the synthetic fibers by envisaging a polymer composition that comprises a polymer matrix uniformly incorporated with a combination of polyethylene glycol and a suitable metal oxide. The inventors of the present disclosure have advantageously used optimal amounts of polyethylene glycol in combination with a suitable metal oxide that provides the desired moisture managing properties to the polymer composition.
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a polymer composition possessing excellent moisture managing properties and improved spinning/processing performance when said polymer composition is subjected to spinning to form synthetic fibers. The present disclosure further provides multifunctional synthetic fibers composed of the polymer composition of the present disclosure and processes for the preparation thereof. The present disclosure also provides articles such as fabrics and the like derived from the multifunctional synthetic fibers of the present disclosure.
The first aspect of the present disclosure provides a polymer composition comprising: (i) at least one polymer matrix selected from the group of polymers consisting of polyester, polypropylene and polyamide in an amount ranging between 90 % and 98.625% by weight; (ii) at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO. Ag2O, Fe2O3 and CuO in an amount varying between 0.125% and 2.5% by weight; and (iii) polyethylene glycol in an amount ranging between 1.25% and 7.5% by weight, wherein each of said weight proportions are with respect to the total weight of the polymer composition. In accordance with one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the polymer matrix is polyester. The preferred polyester for the purpose of the present disclosure is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The metal oxide and the polyethylene glycol are uniformly incorporated into the polymer matrix of the present disclosure to bestow the polymer matrix with enhanced moisture managing properties and improved spinning/processing performance.
The metal oxide incorporated into the polymer matrix of the present disclosure includes at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO, Ag2O, Fe2O3 and CuO. The amount of the metal oxide incorporated into the polymer matrix of the present disclosure varies between 0.125 and 2.$ % by weight, with respect to the total weight of the polymer composition; the weight proportion of the polyethylene glycol incorporated into the polymer matrix varies between 1.25 % and 7.5 % by weight, with respect to the total weight of the polymer Composition.
The polymer composition in accordance with the present disclosure is prepared by uniformly mixing the polyethylene glycol and the metal oxide into the polymer matrix. The metal oxide and the polyethylene glycol may be mixed into the polymer matrix either during the preparation of the polymer matrix or post-polymerization during the melt spinning of the polymer matrix to manufacture synthetic fibers. Polyethylene glycol is preferably added during the polymerization process while the metal oxide is added either during the polymerization process or post-polymerization during the melt spinning of the polymer matrix.
In the embodiment wherein the metal oxide is added during the polymerization process, it is preferably added in the form of a slurry. The metal oxide is preferably admixed with an excess of monomeric compound Corresponding to the polymer matrix of the present disclosure to obtain a slurry. The rnonomeric units corresponding to the polymer matrix of the present disclosure are subjected to a polymerization reaction under standard polymerization conditions. For example, monoethylene glycol and terephthalic acid are subjected to the polymerization reaction to obtain polyethylene terephthalate polymer and during the polymerization reaction, the metal oxide slurried in the excess of monoethylene glycol or terephthalic acid is added to the polymerization reactor. Subsequently, polyethylene glycol is added. The polymerization is then continued under standard polymerization conditions to obtain the polymer composition of the present disclosure.

In another embodiment wherein the metal oxide is added during the melt spinning of the polymer matrix, it is preferably added in the form of a master batch. For this, the polymer matrix is prepared as usual by employing any conventional methods. The polyethylene glycol is preferably added during the polymerization reaction. The polyethylene glycol modified polymer matrix thus obtained in accordance with the process of the present disclosure is melted and subjected to a melt spinning process. During the melt spinning process, the metal oxide preferably in the form of a master batch is added to the polymer melt. The master batch used for the purpose of the present disclosure is prepared separately by uniformly mixing the metal oxide in the corresponding polymer matrix. The polymer matrix used for the preparation of the master batch is a virgin polymer matrix. The virgin polymer matrix and the metal oxide are admixed in a Brabender twin screw extruder to obtain the master batch. The metal oxide is mixed with the virgin polymer in an amount sufficient to prepare the master batch chips having the metal oxide in an amount ranging between 10 and 40 % by weight, based on the total weight of the master batch chips. The obtained master batch chips are then added to the polymer melt of the present disclosure during the melt spinning process.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, there are provided multifunctional synthetic fibers composed of the polymer composition of the present disclosure. The synthetic fibers in accordance with the present disclosure may be mono-component fibers or bi-component fibers.
In accordance with one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the synthetic fibers are mono-component fibers. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the synthetic fibers are bi-component fibers.
The bi-component fibers in accordance with the present disclosure may exist in different morphologies that include at least one selected from the group consisting of core/sheath, side by side, eccentric sheath/core, pie wedge, segment pie, islands/sea and hollow pie wedge. The particularly preferred morphology of the bi-component fiber in accordance with the present disclosure is core/sheath type having an inner

core component and an outer sheath component wherein both the components are arranged in a concentric manner.
In accordance with one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the core component of the bi-component fiber is composed of at least one polymer matrix selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene and polyamide. The particularly preferred polymer matrix present in the core component of the bi-component fiber is polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate. The sheath component of the bi-component fiber is preferably composed of polyethylene glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate as a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix of the sheath component is further incorporated with at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO, Ag2O, Fe2O3 and CuO.
The particularly preferred metal oxide for the purpose of the present disclosure is ZnO. The weight proportion of the metal oxide present in the sheath component of the bi-component fiber typically ranges between 0.125 % and 2.5 % by weight, with respect to the total weight of the bi-component synthetic fiber; the weight proportion of the polyethylene glycol present in the sheath component of the bi-component varies between 1.25 % and 7.5 % by weight, based on the total weight of the bi-component fiber. The weight proportion of the sheath and the core component in the bi-component fiber typically ranges between 25/75 and 75/25.
The methods for preparing the synthetic fibers are well known and need not be described here in detail. Generally, the bi-component fibers are prepared by using conventional multicomponent textile fiber spinning processes, apparatus and machines known in the art. The processing conditions for the melt spinning and fiber formation are also well known in art and accordingly can be employed in the process of the present disclosure for preparing the synthetic fibers. The conventional melt spinning method comprises the extrusion of a polymer melt through an annular die to form a spun bundle of partially oriented fibers. The partially oriented fibers (POY) are then subjected to stretching to obtain texturized fibers.

The process for preparing the mono-component and the bi-component fibers differ significantly. The procedure for producing the bi-component fiber is more complicated than the procedure for producing the mono-component fiber. The production of bi-component fibers requires an even distribution of the corresponding core/sheath components through the spinnerette and a special type of spinnerette is used to evenly distribute the corresponding components of the bi-component fibers.
The mono-component fibers composed of the polymer composition of the present disclosure are simply prepared by subjecting the polymer composition to a melt spinning process. In one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the polymer composition is crystallized at a temperature varying between 120 °C and 150 °C, preferably at 140 C. The crystallized polymer composition is then dried in a cone drier at a temperature varying between 160 °C and 180 °C, preferably at 170 °C to obtain the dried polymer chips. The obtained polymer chips are further melted and extruded though an extruder to obtain spun bundle filaments of the mono-component fibers.
For preparing the bi-component fibers in accordance with the process of the present disclosure, at least two polymer matrices, particularly polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate are concurrently melt extruded through a single spinneret so as to form a bi-component fiber comprising a care-component composed of polyethylene terephthalate and a sheath component composed of polyethylene glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate. The metal oxide is added into the melt of the polyethylene glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate polymer in the spinneret just before the spinning of the melt. Alternatively, the metal oxide is added during the preparation of the polyethylene glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate polymer.
The melt spinning processes produce a spun bundle of partially oriented bi-component fibers which are collected and stretched further to obtain texturized bi-component fibers. The bi-component fibers in accordance with the present disclosure may be continuous fibers or fibers of definite length i.e. staple fibers. The synthetic fibers in

accordance with the present disclosure are further spun into yarn which is suitably used in various applications, for example, in textile such as fabrics.
In another aspect the present disclosure provides fabrics prepared from the synthetic fibers of present disclosure. The fabrics prepared in accordance with the present disclosure are woven, non-woven and knitted fabrics.
The inventors of the present disclosure have advantageously employed a combination of a suitable metal oxide and polyethylene glycol in the polymer composition of the present disclosure. The combination of a metal oxide and polyethylene glycol in a predetermined weight proportion in accordance with the present disclosure overcomes the disadvantages related with the use of a considerably higher concentration of polyethylene glycol to control the moisture managing properties.
The moisture wicking of the polyester fabrics comprising the synthetic fibers of the present disclosure is determined by known methods, for example, by a vertical wicking test or a horizontal wicking test. The fabrics prepared from the synthetic fibers comprising virgin polyethylene terephthalate have very low wicking characteristics (wicking height < 2cm for higher denier filament above 1 denier). Wicking height as high as 15 cm is achieved in fabric made from synthetic fibers of the present disclosure. In addition to the moisture management and dull cotton like look, zinc oxide also imparts UV resistant, anti microbial and anti fungal characteristics to the synthetic fibers of the present disclosure.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous thereof are explained with reference to the non-iimiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

Example-1:
The following example describes a process for the preparation of a bi-component fiber/yarn having polyethylene glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate as a sheath component.
In the first step, polyethylene glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was prepared. For this, terephthalic acid (PTA) and monoethylene glycol (MEG) were esterified in the mole ratio of 1:2 at a temperature in the range of 250°C to 290°C and under nitrogen pressure of 1 to 2 kg/cm g. Water formed during the esterification reaction and excess MEG were removed. The,esterified mixture was then cooled and recovered. To the esterified mixture, catalyst, Sb2O3 (290 ppm Sb in polymer); thermal stabilizer, H3P04 (25 ppm P in polymer); toner, cobalt acetate (25 ppm in polymer), TiO2 slurry (0.25% Ti02 in polymer); polyethylene glycol of mol. Wt. 1500 in an amount of 10 % by weight based on the total weight of the polyethylene terephthalate polymer were added. The reaction mixture was then subjected to polycondensation at a temperature in the range of 250 to 290°C and under vacuum of around 1mm Hg.
The polymer thus obtained was drained into strands and quenched in a water bath. The strands were cut into chips in a pelletizer. These PEG modified copolyester chips were melt spun in a spinning machine in the form of sheath/core partially oriented yarn (POY) with the core of standard polyester (PET) and the sheath of PEG modified copolyester to have 2.5% of PEG based on the total weight of the POY.
Example-2
The following example describes a process for the preparation of a multifunctional bi-component fiber having PEG modified PET as a sheath component incorporated with at least one metal oxide.
The PEG modified PET was prepared in accordance with the process as disclosed in Example-1. The PEG modified copolyester chips were then melt spun in a spinning machine in the form of a sheath/core of partially oriented yarns (POY) with a core of

standard polyester (PET) and a sheath of PEG modified copolyester. The ZnO master batch was then added in the sheath component during the melt spinning process so that concentration of ZnO in the sheath component of the synthetic fiber was 2%. The PEG was 2.5% and ZnO was 0.5% based on the total weight of the POY. The partially oriented yarn prepared without Zno master batch (example-1) was difficult to unwind on storage for 24 hrs at 40°C while, the partially oriented yarn made with ZnO master batch (example-2) was easy to unwind. The POY was textured and knitted fabric was made from the textured yarn. A wicking height of 15cm could be achieved with ZnO and PEG modified PET textured yarn fabric as compared to 1.5cm wicking height of the control fabric (without PEG and ZnO). High antimicrobial properties were obtained with bacterio static properties up to 5.0 and bactericidal activity up to 3.3 (measured by JIS L1902 method). UV transmission was reduced from 20% to 8% at a UV wave length of 360nm, as compared to the control fabric (without PEG and ZnO).
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
The present disclosure, related to multifunctional synthetic fibers and fabrics, has the following technical advantages:
(1) Excellent moisture managing properties,
(2) Improved spinning/processing performance of the polymer composition, and
(3) Multifunctional fibers and fabrics having properties such as UV protection, antimicrobial and anti-fungal.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the invention, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge,

readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

We Claim,
J. A polymer composition comprising;
(i) at least one polymer matrix selected from the group consisting of
polyester, polypropylene and polyamide in an amount ranging between
90 and 98.625 % by weight; (ii) at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO,
Ag20, Fe203 and CuO in an amount varying between 0.125 and 2.5 %
by weight; and (iii) polyethylene glycol in an amount ranging between 1.25 and 7.5% by
weight, wherein each of said weight percentages are with respect to the
total weight of the polymer composition.
2. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymer matrix is polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate.
3. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal oxide is ZnO.
4. A synthetic fiber composed of the polymer composition as claimed in claim 1.
5. The synthetic fiber as claimed in claim 4 is a mono-component fiber.
6. The synthetic fiber as claimed in claim 4 is a bi-component fiber.
7. The synthetic fiber as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bi-component fiber is a sheath-core type fiber having an inner core component surrounded by an outer sheath component.
8. The synthetic fiber as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inner core component is composed of at least one polymer matrix selected from the group consisting polyester, polypropylene and polyamide.

9. The synthetic fiber as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outer sheath component is composed of polyethylene terephthalate as a polymer matrix uniformly incorporated therein with (i) at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO, Ag2O, Fe2O3 and CuO, and (ii) polyethylene glycol.
10. The synthetic fiber as claimed in claim 9, wherein said metal oxide is ZnO and present in an amount varying between 0.125 % and 2.5 %, based on the total weight of the synthetic fiber.
11. The synthetic fiber as claimed in claim 9, wherein the polyethylene glycol is present in an amount varying between 1.25 % and 7.5 % , based on the total weight of the synthetic fiber.
12. The synthetic fiber as claimed in claim 7, wherein the weight proportion of the sheath component to the core component ranges between 25/75 and 75/25.
13. A fabric comprising synthetic fiber as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 12.
14. The fabric as claimed in claim 13 characterized by a wicking height of at least 15 cm.
15. A process for preparing a bi-component synthetic fiber, said process comprising co-extruding through a single spinneret

(A) a first polymer melt comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene and polyamide; and
(B) a second polymer melt comprising polyester as a polymer matrix having uniformly dispersed therein with (i) at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO, Ag2O, Fe2O3 and CuO; and (ii) polyethylene glycol to form a bi-component fiber comprising a core component composed of the first polymer melt and a sheath component composed of the second polymer melt.

16. The process as claimed in claim 15, wherein said metal oxide is ZnO and present in an amount varying between 0.125 % and 2.5 %, based on the total weight of the synthetic fiber.
17. The process as claimed in claim 15, the polyethylene glycol is present in an amount varying between 1.25 % and 7.5 % , based on the total weight of the synthetic fiber.
18. The process as claimed in claim 15, wherein the weight proportion of the sheath component to the core component ranges between 25/75 and 75/25.
19. A process for preparing a mono-component fiber, said process comprising melt spinning a polymer melt comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene and polyamide uniformly dispersed therein with (i) at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ZnO, Ag2O, Fe2O3 and CuO; and (ii) polyethylene glycol to form a mono-component fiber.