Deposition of Copper on Poly(Lactide) Non-Woven Fabrics by Magnetron Sputtering—Fabrication of New Multi-Functional, Antimicrobial Composite Materials

Abstract

The paper presents the method of synthesis; physico-technical and biological characterization of a new composite material (PLA–Cu0) obtained by sputter deposition of copper on melt-blown poly(lactide) (PLA) non-woven fabrics. The analysis of these biofunctionalized non-woven fabrics included: ultraviolet/visible (UV/VIS) transmittance; scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS); attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy; ability to block UV radiation; filtration parameters (air permeability); and tensile testing. The functionalized non-woven composite materials were subjected to antimicrobial tests against colonies of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli), Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria and antifungal tests against the Chaetomium globosum fungal mould species. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of PLA–Cu0 suggests potential applications as an antimicrobial material.

Deposition of Copper on Polyester Knitwear Fibers by a Magnetron Sputtering System. Physical Properties and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Response of New Multi-Functional Composite Materials

“…The applied parameters were chosen on the basis of the previous research concerning the deposition of copper on the Polylactide (PLA) nonwoven fabrics. A preliminary study was performed for the purpose of another publication, which has been recently published [111]. In order to choose the appropriate deposition parameters, the authors varied the sputtering power of the magnetron target from 350 up to 1000 W. At the same time, the sputtering time was changed from 10 to 30 min.…”

“…The applied parameters were chosen on the basis of the previous research concerning the deposition of copper on the Polylactide (PLA) nonwoven fabrics. A preliminary study was performed for the purpose of another publication, which has been recently published [111]. In order to choose the appropriate deposition parameters, the authors varied the sputtering power of the magnetron The deposition of coatings was carried out in the atmosphere of argon, the distance between a copper target and the sputtering substrate was equal to 15 cm, the applied powers varied from 350 to 1000 W. The established optimal sputtering conditions were: the power discharge-700 W; the time of deposition-10 min; the resulting power density-0.72 W/cm 2 and the working pressure 2.0 × 10 −3 mbar.…”

Physical Properties, Chemical Analysis, and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Response of New Polylactide/Alginate/Copper Composite Materials

“…As part of our investigations focused on biologically-active phosphonates [ 62 , 63 , 64 ] and fibrous materials functionalization [ 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ] we present the preparation and biological and physico-chemical properties of polylactide/alginate/copper composite materials.…”

Multifunctional Leather Surface Design by Using Carbon Nanotube-Based Composites

“…The measurements of UV radiation transmittance were made in the range of a specific wavelength for UVA (320–400 nm) and UVB (290–320 nm). The calculation of UPF was done using Equation (1) [ 40 ]: where E λ = the erythemal spectral effectiveness; S λ = solar spectral irradiance in W m −2 nm −1 ; T λ = the spectral transmittance of the item; Δ λ = the bandwidth in nm; and λ = the wavelength in nm.…”

“…The measurements of UV radiation transmittance were made in the range of a specific wavelength for UVA (320-400 nm) and UVB (290-320 nm). The calculation of UPF was done using Equation (1) [40]:…”