A study of the antimicrobial property of encapsulated copper oxide nanoparticles on cotton fabric

Abstract

Among the diverse fields of application of technical textiles, which are poised for tremendous growth in fast-developing economies such as India and China, non-implantable healthcare and hygiene products are assuming significant importance because of the specificity of their end uses. Today, the healthcare industry is increasingly concerned with the exposure and transference of various microorganisms that are commonly present in the atmosphere. Studies have been carried out in the present work to fine-tune the properties of copper oxide nanoparticles for special applications. Using copper sulfate and sodium hydroxide as precursors and soluble starch as stabilizing agent, the copper oxide nanoparticles were prepared by a wet chemical method. The copper oxide nanoparticles were microencapsulated by an ionic gelation method and applied to plain weave cotton fabric by exhaustion as the first step, and in the second step by the pad—dry—cure method. The antibacterial property of the coated fabric was determined quantitatively and qualitatively using AATCC 100 and 147 test methods, respectively. Techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and physical and chemical characterization were employed to study the phase and morphology of the nanoparticles. The results indicate that the coated fabric has high antibacterial efficiency. The nanoparticles synthesized in this work have an average size of 50 nm, and the physical and chemical properties of the treated fabric are markedly different from those of the untreated fabric. Insights into copper oxide encapsulated coated fabric prove their efficacy against microbes and hence can be used in the manufacture of medical apparel.

Activation of Erk and p53 regulates copper oxide nanoparticle-induced cytotoxicity in keratinocytes and fibroblasts

“…Moreover, potent medical applications utilizing the antibacterial activity of CuONP give rise to direct contact between CuONP and the skin. 6,7 Gauze and bandages containing CuONP could protect wounds against microbial infection. However, there is a risk in using CuONP application as a microbicide for covering the skin surface: ie, harm to skin-associated cells while killing microorganisms.…”

“…[2][3][4] Much attention has been paid to the feasible applications of CuONP, such as antimicrobial masks 5 and textiles. 6,7 However, it is crucial to evaluate their potential effects on the environment and human health before their practical application. Certain reports have revealed that CuONP are toxic to the aquatic macrophyte Lemna gibba 8 and Xenopus laevis.…”

Anti-Bacterial Activity Studies on Textile Modified With Silver Metal, Copper, Zinc and Magnesium Oxides Nanoparticles

“…7 Recently, much attention has been paid on the loading of metal and metal oxides nanoparticles (NPs) onto cotton substrate due to their potential applications. [8][9][10][11][12] The modified cotton fabrics have exhibited excellent antimicrobial activities against bacteria. 7 There is a growing awareness of the use of antibacterial fabrics in the form of medical clothes, protective garments, and bed spreads to minimize the chance of the nosocomial infections.…”

“…Zinc oxide has also been explored as a powerful antibacterial agent. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The relation between the antibacterial activity versus the ZnO particles size was studied. 17 It was observed that the antibacterial activity is inversely proportional to the nanoparticles' size.…”

Development of thermo-regulating fabric using microcapsules of phase change material

“…Microencapsulation techniques are normally used to enhance material stability, reduce adverse or toxic effects, or extend material release for different applications in various fields of manufacturing. The properties of microcapsules, size, shape, wall material, active substance release mechanism have to be adapted to the requirements of textile processing methods and to the use of final products [6,9].…”