Abstract
A new class of nano-antimicrobials was developed by Ion Beam co-Sputtering of ZnO and polytetrafluoroethylene targets. The resulting nanostructured coatings combine the antimicrobial properties of ZnO nanoparticles with the water repellence and anti-stain characters of the dispersing fluoropolymer (CFx). ZnO-CFx nanocomposites with variable ZnO volume fraction ( ) in the CFx matrix were prepared by tuning the sputtering deposition parameters. Morphological analysis confirmed the presence of homogenously distributed ZnO nanoclusters in the polymer. ZnO loadings ranging in the 0.05–0.15 interval were explored and the nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to investigate their surface chemical composition. XPS spectra evidenced a high degree of polymer defluorination along with the formation of ZnF2 at increasing values. Zn speciation was performed on Zn L3M45M45 Auger signal. Coatings bioactivity was assessed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Kluyveromyces marxianus. At ≥ 0.10, ZnO-CFx composites exhibited appreciable antibacterial activity, irrespective of the target organism.
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