Facile Process for the Development of Antiviral Cotton Fabrics with Nano-Embossed Copper Oxide

Abstract

Metallic or metal oxide-based nanoparticles have the potential to inactivate viruses. Among various metals, copper has shown edge over others. One of the rapidly evolving areas is to combine nanoscience for production of self-sanitizing antiviral surfaces. In this study, we designed antiviral-coated fabrics to combat the spread of viruses. Copper oxide nanoparticles were sonochemically synthesized and subsequently deposited using the dip-coat process to modify the surface of fabric. The morphology and structure of uncoated and coated fabrics were examined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and elemental analysis. The findings show that small, agglomerated rugby ball structures made of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (16 ± 1.6 nm, according to the Scherrer equation) develop on the surface of fabric, resulting in nano-embossing and a hydrophobic (contact angle > 140°) surface. The CuO-coated fabric yielded the maximum zone of inhibition for antibacterial activity. The virucidal activity (against human adenovirus-B) of CuO nanoparticle-fabricated fabric against adenovirus shows decreased 99.99% according to the ISO 18184 testing standard. With the dip and dry approach, any textile industry can use the simple coating procedure without having to change its textile operations. This fabric can be widely used in the face mask, clothing, bedding, and aprons, and the coating remains efficient over more than 25 washes.

Antibacterial evaluation of different prosthetic liner textiles coated by CuO nanoparticles

“…Previous literature reports successful antibacterial and antiviral cotton fabric preparation by coating it with CuO NPs. Their antibacterial properties towards Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli ) revealed a zone of inhibition halo about 7 mm around the fabric [ 42 ]. Additionally, Turakhia et al showed that even after 30 cycles of washing of CuO NPs–coated cotton fabrics, their antibacterial activity remained constant against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains [ 43 ].…”

Water-Mediated In Situ Fabrication of CuI Nanoparticles on Flexible Cotton Fabrics as a Sustainable and Skin-Compatible Coating with Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Efficacy

“…By virtue of its strong biocidal activity, low toxicity, and high abundance, copper has garnered immense interest as an antimicrobial coating agent for decades. − Between 2008 and 2011, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered over 300 copper alloys as antimicrobials, and their effectiveness against the coronavirus was also recommended in 2021, emphasizing the great potential of copper-containing materials in the manufacturing of self-disinfecting surfaces. Copper nanoparticle (Cu NP)-coated or -impregnated fabrics and textiles have also been explored for potential applications to prevent infection transmission. − Nonetheless, the colored metallic copper and Cu­(II)-containing compounds usually require a long contact time of up to hours to eliminate the target, rendering them of limited value in mitigating the lateral transmission of highly infectious pathogens. ,− In contrast, many earlier studies have shown that the colorless copper­(I) iodide (CuI) exhibits prominent antimicrobial activity and low toxicity that may serve as a more suitable coating precursor. , Most existing methods for CuI coating fabrication, unfortunately, require toxic acetonitrile as the processing solvent due to its poor solubility in other solvent systems . Extensive use of acetonitrile may cause health problems to the workers and a severe impact on the environment.…”