Toward Scaling up the Production of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for Application on Washable Antimicrobial Cotton Fabrics

Abstract

To examine the utilization of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) in different commercial products, this work focuses on the determination of cost-effective and scalable synthesis protocols. The solvothermal protocol is well-known as a scalable method but has recently been shown to lack economic feasibility. The mechanochemical method has recently been recognized to be a more economic and environmentally friendly substitute for the solvothermal method. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized using two (aqueous and organic) solvothermal (wet) methods and two (manual and automated) mechanochemical (dry) methods. The four methods were evaluated and compared. The automated mechanochemical method generated a significantly higher yield of ZnO NPs (82%) and CuO NPs (84%) using the least energy and time. However, the prepared ZnO NPs displayed higher cytotoxicity against Vero E6 cells when compared to that of CuO NPs. Because of their low cytotoxicity, CuO NPs synthesized via the automated mechanochemical method were selected for application onto cotton fabrics. Lower cytotoxicity was observed for CuO NPs treated fabrics with an IC 50 of 562 mg/mL and ZnO treated fabrics with an IC 50 at 23.93 mg/mL when the treated fabrics were tested against L929 fibroblast cells. Additionally, the cotton fabrics retained bactericidal and virucidal effects after four washes. Thus, the current study recommends the automated mechanochemical method as a cost-effective scalable approach for the synthesis of CuO NPs. The application of CuO NPs onto cotton fabrics generated washable antimicrobial face masks.

Innovative microwave-assisted biosynthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles loaded with platinum(ii) based complex for halting colon cancer: cellular, molecular, and computational investigations

“…The present experimental results were found to be identical to that of pure CuO, confirming the successful synthesis of pure CuO NPs. 21,53,54 As previously reported with CuO NPs XRD patterns, 38 11 main peaks in the diffraction patterns were observed to be at 2 θ = 32.50, 35.52, 38.72, 48.84, 53.47, 58.24, 61.59, 66.12, 68.02, 72.38, and 75.12° (Fig. 3).…”

“…where k (0.9) is the shape factor, lambda is the X-ray wavelength of Cu K radiation 1.54 Å, theta is the Bragg diffraction angle, and beta is the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the respective diffraction peak. 38 High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (JEOL-JEM 2100) (Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo, Japan) was used for characterizing the prepared nanoparticles' vis-à-vis their morphology.…”

“…5B, the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern of CuO NPs presented diffraction patterns involving sharp spots; hence, the structures of these NPs must be ordered. 38 Entrapment efficiency percent (EE%) and in vitro release assay. The EE% of the Cr in the Cr@CuO NPs was found to be 78.9 ± 5.9%.…”

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Nanoparticles for Potential Antimicrobial Applications

“…On the other hand, in the mechanochemical process, the solid reagents with large potential energies and strains can create various defects in the final products, and hence the activity of the resulting NPs is highly enhanced [ 27 ]. Many studies were already done on the synthesis of various metal and metal-based NPs for antimicrobial applications [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. One of the review articles covers the antimicrobial properties of different NPs synthesized through non-mechanochemical methods [ 33 ].…”

Advanced NH3 Detection by 1D Nanostructured La:ZnO Sensors with Novel Intrinsic p–n Shifting and Ultrahigh Baseline Stability

“…These sensors can be employed to detect ammonia gas from as low as a few hundred parts per billion levels all the way up to toxic and explosive range concentrations. Another important reason behind the intensive research and usage of MOS-based materials in a wide range of applications (like sensing, catalysis, and energy) is the recent advances in the produced nanostructures including nanoparticles, quantum dots, nanorods, nanowires, nanoflowers, as well as core-/shell-like structures . All of these morphologies were especially used to fabricate gas sensors, as was reviewed by Mirzaei et al Among the different MOS materials, ZnO has always been the most frequently used material for the past decade in a variety of commercial applications, including gas-sensing applications, due to its outstanding physicochemical properties, such as its wide band gap, high exciton binding energy (BE), high chemical stability, high thermal stability, good optical properties, large surface area, and biocompatibility …”