Abstract
Silver-functionalized textiles, as the most common protective medical materials, have attracted considerable attention. However, poor antibacterial durability and relatively tedious preparation process limit their applications. In this study, a kind of multifunctional cotton fabric was prepared through simultaneous dip-coating of silver-silica hybrid nanoparticles (Ag-MSNs) and fluorinated MSNs (F-MSNs), providing excellent antifouling ability due to superhydrophobicity and long-term antibacterial properties from the sustained release of Ag ions (Ag+). Detailed studies were performed to evaluate their structure and protective performance, especially the long-term antibacterial properties of the obtained fabrics were tested by the inhibition zone experiment for 25 d. The as-prepared fabrics showed good non-wetting properties and sustained antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Further washing and abrasion experimentations demonstrated that the as-prepared fabrics had stable hydrophobicity and antibacterial properties, much more reliable than commercial antibacterial gauze. Considering the inexpensive and simple preparation process as well as long-term and efficient effect for sterilization, the strategy paves a new and facile way for the fabrication of multifunctional fabrics with robust hydrophobic and antibacterial activity.
Highlights
Cotton fabrics have a wide range of application scenarios in civil and military applications as their good air permeability, wearing comfort, and other special protective properties (Xu et al 2017; Wu et al 2016)
Surface microstructures and morphology of fluorinated MSNs (F-MSNs), Ag-MSNs, and functionalized fabrics were obtained by TEM and SEM, and element mapping images were obtained from an energy-dispersive spectroscope which was attached to the SEM
The stretching modes of the Si-O-Si groups belonged to MSNs and F-MSNs were shown at 804 cm−1 and 463 cm−1, while the hydroxyl stretching of Si-OH groups was shown at 3372 cm−1
Summary
Cotton fabrics have a wide range of application scenarios in civil and military applications as their good air permeability, wearing comfort, and other special protective properties (Xu et al 2017; Wu et al 2016). The silver-functionalized fabrics prepared by this method have poor durability and low antibacterial stability. It is important to achieve the long-term antibacterial properties of silver-functionalized fabrics. Slowing down the release rate of Ag+ can effectively extend their antibacterial action time when the fabrics are modified with certain silver-loaded functionalized nanoparticles. Even if the release of Ag+ from silver-functionalized superhydrophobic fabrics is slow, the outstanding bactericidal effect can be achieved. Inspired by superhydrophobic antibacterial surface, we propose an effective and facile strategy to fabricate cotton fabrics with outstanding antibacterial performance and superhydrophobic properties through simultaneous dip-coating of silver-silica hybrid nanoparticles (Ag-MSNs) and fluorinated MSNs (F-MSNs), as shown in Scheme. The as-prepared fabrics had both stable superhydrophobicity (CA=151±1o) for antifouling performance and long-term antibacterial properties (zone of inhibition for 25 d) for reliable protection. Two kinds of mesoporous nanoparticles were obtained after drying in a vacuum oven for 24 h
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