Antimicrobial activity of viscose&ndash;polyester non-woven fabric functionalized with ZnO and Cu nanoparticles

Beata Tkacz-Szczęsna; Alicja Nejman; Małgorzata Cieślak

Abstract:

Abstract

The global coronavirus epidemic increased awareness of infectious diseases and the need of developing hygienic textile materials with antimicrobial properties [1].

Considering bioactive textiles, which can kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth, various materials, modifiers, and modification methods have to be tested. The complex process of designing antimicrobial textiles includes, among others, selecting: the structure and composition of the textile material, a compatible bioactive modifier and an effective method of its application. Non-woven structures offer great potential for use in filtration systems, protective systems and covering materials. The modifiers, such as zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper (Cu) nanoparticles, have a high ability to change the biological and physicochemical properties of textile structures [2].

We developed the multifunctional non-woven fabric composed of hydrophobic (polyester) and hydrophilic (viscose) fibers, two nanomodifiers (2.5% of ZnO or/and Cu) and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VIN) applied by dip-coating method.

The modification effects were rated based on the complex analysis: SEM/EDS microscopy, AAS, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy and DSC and TG/DTG techniques. The wettability and surface free energy were determined using the goniometric method. The bioactive properties were studied against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria and HCoV 229E human coronavirus. The new functional non-woven fabric with antibacterial and antiviral activity is non-toxic against non-tumorigenic, immortalized human keratinocyte cells (HaCat) and human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549).

References

[1] Y. Oguz-Gouillart et.a , Advanced and Smart Textiles during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Issues, Challenges, and Innovations, Healthc., 11(8), 2023, doi: 10.3390/healthcare11081115.

[2] M. Cieślak et al., Effect of Cu Modified Textile Structures on Antibacterial and Antiviral Protection, Materials, 15(17), 1–16, 2022, doi: 10.3390/ma15176164.

Acknowledgment

The research was carried out within the National Centre for Research and Development project number DOB-SZAFIR/02/B/004/02/2021 and on the apparatus purchased in projects: POIG.01.03.01-00-004/08 Functional nano- and micro textile materials—NANOMITEX and WND-RPLD.03.01.00-001/09.