Poly(Allylamine Hydrochloride) and ZnO Nanohybrid Coating for the Development of Hydrophobic, Antibacterial, and Biocompatible Textiles

Abstract

In healthcare facilities, infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) from textile materials are a cause for concern, and nanomaterials are one of the solutions; however, their impact on safety and biocompatibility with the human body must not be neglected. This study aimed to develop a novel multilayer coating with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and immobilized ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) to make efficient antibacterial and biocompatible cotton, polyester, and nylon textiles. For this purpose, the coated textiles were characterized with profilometry, contact angles, and electrokinetic analyzer measurements. The ZnO NPs on the textiles were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The antibacterial tests were conducted with S. aureus and biocompatibility with immortalized human keratinocyte cells. The results demonstrated successful PAH/ZnO coating formation on the textiles, demonstrating weak hydrophobic properties. Furthermore, PAH multilayers caused complete ZnO NP immobilization on the coated textiles. All coated textiles showed strong growth inhibition (2−3-log reduction) in planktonic and adhered S. aureus cells. The bacterial viability was reduced by more than 99%. Cotton, due to its better ZnO NP adherence, demonstrated a slightly higher antibacterial performance than polyester and nylon. The coating procedure enables the binding of ZnO NPs in an amount (< 30 µg cm−2) that, after complete dissolution, is significantly below the concentration causing cytotoxicity (10 µg mL−1).

Biocompatible Polyelectrolyte Multilayers with Copper Oxide and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Inhibiting Bacterial Growth

“…Previously, we explored the change in metabolic activity of HaCaT cells at Zn 2+ ion concentrations ranging from 0.5 μg mL −1 to 20 μg mL −1 . 27 The metabolic activity results revealed no statistically significant decrease in cell viability up to 7 μg mL −1 of Zn 2+ ions compared to the control specimen without Zn 2+ ions. Also, the viability of HaCaT cells slightly increased for low concentrations of Zn 2+ ions: 0.5 μg mL −1 to (102.5 ± 8.1)%, 1 μg mL −1 to (103.6 ± 4.5)% and 3 μg mL −1 to (100.3 ± 7.0)%.…”

“…It is important to note that in this study, the NPs are added between polyelectrolyte layers, thereby diverging from the direct interaction with the cell membrane. Previously, we explored the change in metabolic activity of HaCaT cells at Zn 2+ ion concentrations ranging from 0.5 μg mL –1 to 20 μg mL –1 . The metabolic activity results revealed no statistically significant decrease in cell viability up to 7 μg mL –1 of Zn 2+ ions compared to the control specimen without Zn 2+ ions.…”

“…Also, the viability of HaCaT cells slightly increased for low concentrations of Zn 2+ ions: 0.5 μg mL −1 to (102.5 ± 8.1)%, 1 μg mL −1 to (103.6 ± 4.5)% and 3 μg mL −1 to (100.3 ± 7.0)%. 27 This shows that the viability of HaCaT cells in media with up to 3 μg mL −1 of Zn 2+ ions does not differ significantly so the influence of the ions (Figure 6) could be disregarded when comparing PAH and ALG terminating layers. Both PAH and ALG are biocompatible materials as shown by a wide variety of research.…”

“…The use of PAH multilayers for coating various textile materials resulted in ZnO NP immobilization with high antibacterial activity against Grampositive bacteria and good biocompatibility with skin cells (keratinocytes). 27 Alginate (ALG) with gelatin and cellulose showed excellent biocompatibility with fibroblast cells and promising use for biomedical devices and artificial tissues. 28 Also, poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly-(ethylene glycol diacrylate) showed good biocompatibility with pig skin and exhibited antibacterial activity against Grampositive bacteria and potential use for skin grafting.…”

“…To limit the direct contact of NPs with human tissue, organic molecules, which show good biocompatibility, can lower the NP cytotoxic effect. The use of PAH multilayers for coating various textile materials resulted in ZnO NP immobilization with high antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and good biocompatibility with skin cells (keratinocytes) . Alginate (ALG) with gelatin and cellulose showed excellent biocompatibility with fibroblast cells and promising use for biomedical devices and artificial tissues .…”