Scalable, high-strength, wear-resistant, antibacterial polyethylene micro-nano fiber protective materials

Abstract

Polyethylene (PE) fibers, known for their exceptional mechanical and protective properties, have found valuable applications in personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, traditional PE fibers lack inherent antibacterial properties, making them susceptible to microbial contamination and potentially contributing to the secondary transmission of pathogens. Therefore, the development of antibacterial PE fibers holds paramount importance. Here, we successfully develop high-strength, wear-resistant, and antibacterial PE fibers by applying a dip-coating process with polylactic acid (PLA) solutions containing ZnO-Ag nanoparticles onto the surface of PE fibers. These antibacterial PE fibers exhibit an impressive antibacterial rate exceeding 99.9% against common bacteria, a tensile strength of 33.7 MPa, along with outstanding wear resistance, wearing comfort, and washing stability. Furthermore, continuous production of antibacterial PE nonwovens is achieved by combining roll-to-roll and dip-coating processes. Therefore, the excellent properties and industrial-scale production potential of antibacterial PE fibers position them with broad application prospects in the fields of medical protection, biochemical protection, and beyond.