Growing ZnO Nanoparticles on Polydopamine-Templated Cotton Fabrics for Durable Antimicrobial Activity and UV Protection

Improving ultraviolet protection properties of cotton textiles using Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials: an approach for controlling occupational and environmental exposures

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is one of the most important risk factor among workers. it may stimulate health outcomes such as multiple skin injuries and blinding eye diseases. So, UV protection is mainly important for people who expose to it. Modification of cotton textiles by nanomaterials is a new approach to overcome this problem. So, the aim of this study is to review studies conducted on using ZnO nanoparticles for improving ultraviolet protection of cotton textiles. The search strategy was provided by cochrane guideline. 45 studies were regarded as appropriate. The results show that UPF for textiles has improved by coated ZnO. However, UPF was depended on the physicochemical characteristics of ZnO and textiles such as yarn structure, effect of woven fabric construction, fabric porosity, and impurity of textiles and laundering conditions. Also, plasma technology has improved UPF, it is recommended that more studies be done to achieve better results.

In-vial solid-phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in drug formulations stored in packaging containing rubber

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of ubiquitous and persistent organic compounds that are significantly teratogenic, carcinogenic and mutagenic. Rubber stoppers commonly used in sterile formulation packaging materials often contain carbon black as the additive to enhance mechanical strength. However, PAHs may be formed during the production of carbon black, which could cause the drug formulations to be contaminated when contacting with the rubber stopper, and then enter the patient's body. The determination of PAHs in drug formulations is challenging, due to their trace amounts and matrix interference. Therefore, sample pretreatment is necessary and important. In this work, a novel technique, named in-vial solid-phase extraction (IVSPE), was developed for the selective extraction and enrichment of 16 PAHs in pharmaceuticals. The coated sample vial was directly used as the container for the whole process of sample pretreatment. As the solid-phase adsorbent, the coating was prepared by successively modifying the inner surface of a sample vial with polydopamine film and octadecylamine. PAHs could be selectively extracted through π-π stacking interaction and hydrophobic interaction, and then desorbed and enriched by a small amount of organic solvent. After systematic optimization of the coating preparation and the extraction process, the limits of detection and quantification of 16 PAHs were in the range of 0.002-0.60 ng mL^-1 and 0.007-2.00 ng mL^-1, respectively. Good linearities and precision of six repeated injections were obtained. The recoveries at three spiked concentration levels in normal saline were in the range of 62.72-106.90% with the relative standard deviation between 0.83% and 6.78%. Finally, PAHs in normal saline and powders for injection were extracted by established IVSPE, followed by separation and detection with high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector and diode array detector (HPLC-FLD/DAD). It is worth noting that the preparation conditions of the adsorbent in the IVSPE method are mild, simple and green. Moreover, IVSPE has the advantages of having few work steps and avoiding the risk of contamination, because no special instrumentation or sample transfer is required. IVSPE could also be used for the pretreatment of multiple samples at the same time, which is beneficial to practical applications.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and N-Methylol Dimethyl Phosphonopropion Amide (MDPA) System for Flame Retardant Cotton Fabrics

The aim of the present research work was to develop halogen and formaldehyde-free, durable flame retardant fabric along with multifunctional properties and to find the optimal conditions and parameters. In this research, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were grown onto 100% cotton fabric using the sonochemical method. Zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used as precursors. After ZnO NPs growth, N-Methylol dimethylphosphonopropionamide (MDPA) flame retardant was applied in the presence of 1, 2, 3, 4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) as cross-linkers using the conventional pad-dry-cure method. Induced coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) was used to determine the deposited amount of Zn and phosphorous (P) contents. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to determine the surface morphology and characterization of the developed samples. Furthermore, the thermal degradation of the untreated and treated samples was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, the vertical flame retardant test, limiting oxygen index (LOI), ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), and antibacterial activity of samples were examined. The developed samples showed excellent results for flame retardancy (i.e., 39 mm char length, 0 s after flame time, 0 s after glow time), 32.2 LOI, 143.76 UPF, and 100% antibacterial activity.

Polysaccharides and Metal Nanoparticles for Functional Textiles: A Review

Nanotechnology is a powerful tool for engineering functional materials that has the potential to transform textiles into high-performance, value-added products. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the development of functional textiles using metal nanoparticles (MNPs). The incorporation of MNPs in textiles allows for the obtention of multifunctional properties, such as ultraviolet (UV) protection, self-cleaning, and electrical conductivity, as well as antimicrobial, antistatic, antiwrinkle, and flame retardant properties, without compromising the inherent characteristics of the textile. Environmental sustainability is also one of the main motivations in development and innovation in the textile industry. Thus, the synthesis of MNPs using ecofriendly sources, such as polysaccharides, is of high importance. The main functions of polysaccharides in these processes are the reduction and stabilization of MNPs, as well as the adhesion of MNPs onto fabrics. This review covers the major research attempts to obtain textiles with different functional properties using polysaccharides and MNPs. The main polysaccharides reported include chitosan, alginate, starch, cyclodextrins, and cellulose, with silver, zinc, copper, and titanium being the most explored MNPs. The potential applications of these functionalized textiles are also reported, and they include healthcare (wound dressing, drug release), protection (antimicrobial activity, UV protection, flame retardant), and environmental remediation (catalysts).

Polydopamine-Bi2WO6-Decorated Gauzes as Dual-Functional Membranes for Solar Steam Generation and Photocatalytic Degradation Applications

The dual-functional Bi2WO6/polydopamine (PDA)-modified gauze membrane has been developed for applications in photocatalytic degradation and solar steam generation. Two types of membrane were prepared by changing the growth sequence of Bi2WO6 nanomaterials and PDA on gauze substrates. The spatial distribution of Bi2WO6 and polydopamine has a great influence on light absorption, photocatalytic degradation, and solar steam generation performances. Bi2WO6 photocatalysts can absorb short-wavelength light for the photocatalytic decoloration of organic dyes. The photothermal polydopamine can convert light into heat for water evaporation. Besides, the gauze substrate provides water transport channels to facilitate water evaporation. The morphology, surface chemistry, and optical properties of Bi2WO6-PDA modified gauzes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectra. The photothermal properties, wetting properties, and solar steam generation rates of the composite films were also studied. Degradation of 96% of indigo carmine was achieved after being irradiated for 120 min in the presence of G/PDA/BWNP. The water evaporation rates of the G/BWP/PDA sample under the irradiation of an Xe lamp (light intensity = 1000 W/m2) reached 1.94 kg·m-2·h-1.

One Step In-Situ Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Multifunctional Cotton Fabrics

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have acquired great significance in the textile sector due to their impressive efficiency and multifold utilization, such as antimicrobials, UV protection, photo catalytic activity, and self-cleaning. The aim of this work is in-situ growth of ZnO NPs on 100% cotton fabrics with the one-step hydrothermal method for preparation of multifunctional textile with UV protecting, antibacterial, and photo catalytic properties. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and Zinc nitrate hexahydrate [Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O] were used as reactants for the growth of zinc oxide on the 100% cotton fabrics. The loaded amount of Zn contents on the cotton fabric was determined by using induced coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The surface morphological characterization of deposited ZnO NPs was examined, employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and, Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The characterization results showed the presence of ZnO NPs on cotton fabrics having hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure. The synthesized ZnO NPs on fabrics exhibited promising results for antibacterial, UV protection, and photo catalytic performance.

The "Maskne" microbiome - pathophysiology and therapeutics

"Maskne" is a new term coined during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. It refers to a subset of acne mechanica, deserving consideration in view of widespread reusable fabric mask-wearing to control the pandemic worldwide. Understanding of underlying pathophysiology directly relates to the novel skin microenvironment and textile-skin friction created by mask-wearing, distinct from nontextile-related acne mechanica previously linked to wearing of headgear. Specifically, the occlusive microenvironment leads to microbiome dysbiosis, which is linked to various dermatological conditions. Additional textile-skin interactions include factors such as breathability, stickiness sensations, moisture saturation, and hygiene maintenance. Increased skin temperatures can trigger sweat/heat-related dermatoses, and ear loops potentially trigger pressure-induced dermatoses. Important therapeutic considerations include increased skin irritation potential of conventional acne treatments under occlusion, exacerbation of chronic dermatoses, that is, perioral dermatitis, rosacea, and eczema, and susceptibility of these same patient groups to heightened discomfort with mask-wearing. Cotton, as the traditional fabric of choice for dermatology patients, has limited benefits in the context of face masks - increased subjective discomfort relates to increased moisture saturation and stickiness, inevitable because of high biofluid load of the nasal and oral orifices. Prolonged textile-skin contact time, directly proportional to the risk of maskne, can be an opportunity for the application of biofunctional textiles.

Functional Properties of Sonochemically Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Cotton Composites

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) were synthesized, deposited, and successfully used for surface modification of cotton to enhance antimicrobial properties. An in situ ultrasonic acoustic method was applied to anchor nZnO on cotton. The results of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of nZnO on cotton. A homogenous distribution of nZnO with an average particle size 27.4 nm was found during the analysis of results. Antimicrobial performance of cotton-nZnO (C-nZnO) composites was evaluated against Gram-negative and Gram-positive microbes. The deposited amount of nZnO on C-nZnO composites was determined by volumetric titration through inductive couple plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. C-nZnO composites showed excellent antimicrobial performance especially against both Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli. The durability and stability of C-nZnO composites were tested against leaching and washing. No significant fluctuation was found on deposited amount of nZnO before and after washing test for optimized sample. The results demonstrate that synthesized C-nZnO composite samples can be used as an alternative for antimicrobial bandages.

Ag NPs-Assisted Synthesis of Stable Cu NPs on PET Fabrics for Antibacterial and Electromagnetic Shielding Performance

In this study, Cu/Ag/polydopamine (PDA)/polyester (PET) fabrics were fabricated for multi-functional textiles. The PET fabrics were firstly modified by dopamine to form a polydopamine (PDA) layer on the fiber surface, then Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were anchored on fiber surface through chelation between PDA and Ag+ ions, and the Ag NPs were further used as catalytic seeds for in situ reduction of Cu nanoparticles (Cu NPs). The surface morphology, chemistry, and crystalline structure of the prepared PET fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). As expected, Cu NPs were evenly dispersed on the surface of fibers. The Cu/Ag/PDA/PET fabrics showed good antibacterial property against Escherichia coli and exhibited excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding ability. The Cu/Ag/PDA/PET fabrics with high performance antibacterial and EMI shielding properties can be applied as functional protective textiles.

A multifunctional nanocomposite spray dressing of Kappa-carrageenan-polydopamine modified ZnO/L-glutamic acid for diabetic wounds

Sprayable bioadhesives with exceptional properties were developed for application in wound healing. In this study, a visible light-crosslinkable nanocomposite bioadhesive hydrogel with multifunctional properties was proposed. While methacrylated Kappa-carrageenan (KaMA), mimicking the natural glycosaminoglycan was applied as the hydrogel matrix, various concentrations of polydopamine modified ZnO (ZnO/PD) nanoparticles (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 wt%) was loaded in it to improve its mechanical, antibacterial and cellular properties. Moreover, L-glutamic acid was incorporated in the nanocomposite hydrogel network to accelerate wound healing. The nanocomposite hydrogels revealed significant mechanical property and recovery ability, comparable elasticity with human skin and great adhesiveness. For instance, the tensile strength of KaMA hydrogel enhanced from 64.1 ± 10 to 80.3 ± 8 kPa and elongation jumped from 20 ± 4% to 61 ± 5% after incorporation of 1 wt% ZnO/PD nanoparticles. The nanocomposite hydrogels demonstrated effectual blood clotting ability and biocompatibility, >95% cell viability after 3 days of incubation. In vivo experiments also suggested that L-glutamic acid loaded nanocomposite hydrogel considerably accelerated wound healing with superior granulation tissue thickness than control in a full-thickness skin defect model. Taken together, this visible-light crosslinking nanocomposite hydrogel with significant properties could be used to spray on a wound area to eliminate wound infection and accelerate wound healing process.

Biofunctionalization of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Biocomposites for Biomedical Applications

In the last ten years, environmental consciousness has increased worldwide, leading to the development of eco-friendly materials to replace synthetic ones. Natural fibers are extracted from renewable resources at low cost. Their combination with synthetic polymers as reinforcement materials has been an important step forward in that direction. The sustainability and excellent physical and biological (e.g., biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity) properties of these biocomposites have extended their application to the biomedical field. This paper offers a detailed overview of the extraction and separation processes applied to natural fibers and their posterior chemical and physical modifications for biocomposite fabrication. Because of the requirements for biomedical device production, specialized biomolecules are currently being incorporated onto these biocomposites. From antibiotics to peptides and plant extracts, to name a few, this review explores their impact on the final biocomposite product, in light of their individual or combined effect, and analyzes the most recurrent strategies for biomolecule immobilization.

Zinc Oxide for Functional Textile Coatings: Recent Advances

The use of ZnO for the functionalization of textile substrates is growing rapidly, since it can provide unique multifunctional properties, such as photocatalytic self-cleaning, antimicrobial activity, UV protection, flame retardancy, thermal insulation and moisture management, hydrophobicity, and electrical conductivity. This paper aims to review the recent progress in the fabrication of ZnO-functionalized textiles, with an emphasis on understanding the specificity and mechanisms of ZnO action that impart individual properties to the textile fibers. The most common synthesis and application processes of ZnO to textile substrates are summarized. The influence of ZnO concentration, particle size and shape on ZnO functionality is presented. The importance of doping and coupling procedures to enhance ZnO performance is highlighted. The need to use binding and seeding agents to increase the durability of ZnO coatings is expressed. In addition to functional properties, the cytotoxicity of ZnO coatings is also discussed. Future directions in the use of ZnO for textile functionalization are identified as well.

Developing Noniridescent Structural Color on Flexible Substrates with High Bending Resistance

Nanostructured materials producing structural colors have great potential in replacing toxic metals or organic pigments. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is a promising method for producing these materials on a large scale, but it requires improvements in brightness, saturation, and mechanical stability. Herein, we use EPD assembly to codeposit silica (SiO₂) particles with precursors of synthetic melanin, polydopamine (PDA), to produce mechanically robust, wide-angle structurally colored coatings. We use spectrophotometry to show that PDA precursors enhance the saturation of structural colors and nanoscratch testing to demonstrate that they stabilize particles within the EPD coatings. Stabilization by PDA precursors allows us to coat flexible substrates that can sustain bending stresses, opening an avenue for electroprinting on flexible materials.

Electrospun Gelatin Fibers Surface Loaded ZnO Particles as a Potential Biodegradable Antibacterial Wound Dressing

Traditional wound dressings require frequent replacement, are prone to bacterial growth and cause a lot of environmental pollution. Therefore, biodegradable and antibacterial dressings are eagerly desired. In this paper, gelatin/ZnO fibers were first prepared by side-by-side electrospinning for potential wound dressing materials. The morphology, composition, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), particle size analyzer (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), thermogravimetry (TGA) and Incucyte™ Zoom system. The results show that ZnO particles are uniformly dispersed on the surface of gelatin fibers and have no cytotoxicity. In addition, the gelatin/ZnO fibers exhibit excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) with a significant reduction of bacteria to more than 90%. Therefore, such a biodegradable, nontoxic and antibacterial fiber has excellent application prospects in wound dressing.

Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Nanocrystalline First Transition-Metal (Ti, Mn, Co, Ni and Zn) Oxisde Nanofibers by Electrospinning

In this work, five nanocrystalline first transition-metal (Ti, Mn, Co, Ni and Zn) oxide nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning and controlled calcination. The morphology, crystal structure, pore size distribution and specific surface area were systematically studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), surface and pore analysis, and thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA). The results reveal that the obtained nanofibers have a continuously twisted three-dimensional scaffold structure and are composed of neat nanocrystals with a necklace-like arrangement. All the samples possess high specific surface areas, which follow the order of NiO nanofiber (393.645 m2/g) > TiO2 nanofiber (121.445 m2/g) > ZnO nanofiber (57.219 m2/g) > Co3O4 nanofiber (52.717 m2/g) > Mn2O3 nanofiber (18.600 m2/g). Moreover, the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution was investigated in detail by employing the five kinds of metal oxide nanofibers as photocatalysts under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation separately. The results show that ZnO, TiO2 and NiO nanofibers exhibit excellent photocatalytic efficiency and high cycling ability to MB, which may be ascribed to unique porous structures and the highly efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. In brief, this paper aims to provide a feasible approach to achieve five first transition-metal oxide nanofibers with excellent performance, which is important for practical applications.

Biosynthesis, Characterization of Some Combined Nanoparticles, and Its Biocide Potency against a Broad Spectrum of Pathogens

The development of environmentally benign procedures for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) is a vital aspect in bionanotechnology applications for health care and the environment. This study describes the biosynthesis of Ag, Co, Ni, and Zn NPs by employing nanobiofactory Proteus mirabilis strain 10B. The physicochemical characterization UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique including ζ potential, and polydispersity index (PDI) confirmed the formation of pure, stable monodisperse quasi-spherical oxide NPs of corresponding metals. The antimicrobial activity of biofabricated NPs was assessed against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, biofilm, yeast, mold, and algae via a well diffusion method. The results displayed significant antagonistic activity in comparison to their bulk and commercial antibiotics. Interestingly, the combined NPs exhibited promising synergistic biocide efficiency against examined pathogens which encourages their applications in adjuvant therapy and water/wastewater purification for controlling multiple drug-resistant microorganisms. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study reported the synthesis of semiconductor NPs by Proteus mirabilis and the biocide potency of combined NPs against a broad spectrum of pathogens not reported previously.

Dopamine-Dyed and Functionally Finished Silk with Rapid Oxidation Polymerization

Nowadays, more and more attention has been paid to ecological environment problems, and the dyeing and finishing field is no exception. Environmentally friendly dyeing and finishing methods have been extensively studied. Inspired by the bioadhesive force of marine mussels, dopamine (DA) was applied as a dyestuff and investigated in textile dyeing. In this work, dopamine was dyed on silk with a rapid oxidation polymerization in the presence of metal ions (Fe3+) and sodium perborate oxidant (Ox). The polydopamine (PDA) was rapidly deposited on silk fabric and the dyeing process was optimized as follows: the concentration of DA was 2 g·L-1, and that of Fe3+ was 2 mmol·L-1; the total reaction time was 50 min and reacted at 50 °C; 9 mmol·L-1 Ox was added at 20 min. The K/S value of the treated silk fabric reached 11.46. The color fastness of dyed fabric to light fastness reached Level 4. The SEM and AFM tests showed that the particles attached to the fabric surface and increased the roughness. The XPS test further proved that polydopamine (PDA) was deposited on the fabric. The treated fabric also had a good anti-UV property with a UPF >30 and UVA <4%. The water contact angle of treated fabric attained 142.6°, showing better hydrophobicity, and the weft breaking strength was also improved. This environmentally friendly dyeing and finishing method can be applied and extended to other fabrics.