Textiles functionalized with cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles have become a promising option to prevent the spread of diseases due to their antimicrobial properties, which strongly depend on the structure and morphology of the nanoparticles and the method used for the functionalization process. This article presents a review of work focused on textiles functionalized with CuO nanoparticles, which were classified into two groups, namely, in situ and ex situ. Moreover, the analyzed bacterial strains, the resistance of the antimicrobial properties of textiles to washing processes, and their cytotoxicity were identified. Finally, the possible antimicrobial mechanisms that could develop in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were described.

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The application of nanotechnology has gained importance in the finishing of textile products, imparting them functional properties, which are achieved without affecting the textile. A novel method was developed for the in situ growth of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) onto cotton textiles by the exhaust dyeing method. For functionalised textiles, a constant sodium hydroxide concentration (0.4 g l −1 ) and different percentages of on-weight-fabric (% owf) of copper acetate were used. The textiles were microbiologically evaluated, the laundering durability was assessed and their UV protection factor (UPF) was determined. In addition, their CIE L*a*b* colour coordinates and colour strength (K/S) were studied. The results determined that NPs on the textile were CuO and were distributed randomly on the cotton fibre surface. The functionalised textiles with CuO NPs had percentages of bacterial reduction against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) between 89.7 and 99.7% and showed an improvement in the UPF of cotton from approximately 7 to 32. The CuO NP content on the textile was inversely correlated with the L* value and directly correlated with the a* and b* values and the K/S parameter.

COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent severe problems in health centers and public areas. Polyester/cotton (PES/CO) blend fabrics have been functionalized with copper oxides on an industrial scale. For functionalization, the impregnation dyeing technique was applied. The functionalized samples were tested virologically against SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus (229E) according to ISO 18184-2019 and microbiologically against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) bacteria according to ASTM E2149-2013. The results show that the fabric functionalized with copper oxides inactivated both viruses after 30 min of exposure, presenting excellent virucidal activity against 229E and SARS-CoV-2, respectively. Furthermore, its inactivation efficiency for SARS-CoV-2 was 99.93% and 99.96% in 30 min and 60 min exposure, respectively. The fabric inhibited bacterial growth by more than 99% before and after 10 and 20 washes. In conclusion, 265 m of PES/CO fabric (wide 1.7 m) was functionalized in situ on an industrial scale with copper oxide nanoparticles. The functionalized fabric presented virucidal and bactericidal properties against SARS-CoV-2 and Escherichia coli.