Abstract
In this research, a textile surface was modified by the sol–gel methodology with a new antimicrobial coating containing nanoparticles active against bacteria resistant to antibiotics. The effect of ultrasonic irradiation power (40 to 90 kHz), the concentration of reagents (nanoparticles, precursor and acids) and time (15 to 72 min) were investigated in relation to the structure, morphology and antimicrobial activity of coatings with zinc oxide nanoparticles. The relationship between the sonocatalytic performance and structure of the resultant modification was established by using various techniques, such as FTIR spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy with an EDX detector (SEM-EDX), thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and antimicrobial effects were determined on selected model microorganisms. The homogeneity of layers with ZnO nanoparticles on samples was increased by increasing the ultrasonic irradiation power and time. The ultrasonic irradiation unify did not only unify both the structure and the morphology of samples, it also prevented the agglomeration of the nanoparticles. Moreover, under optimal conditions, an antimicrobial coating with ZnO nanoparticles, active against bacterial species S. aureus and E. coli was efficiently prepared. Results of the Time-kill methodology revieled excellent results starting after 6 hours of exposal to antimicrobialy functionalized cellulose polymer.
Highlights
According to some predictions, by 2050, more people could die from the infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria than from cancer
The surface coating was obtained by precursor 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO), which was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and a scanning electron microscope equipped with an EDX detector (SEM-EDX)
This coating was filled with ZnO nanoparticles with certified particle sizes less than 100nm, which were chemically bonded to the cellulose surface in order to obtain antibacterial functionalized cellulose material
Summary
By 2050, more people could die from the infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria than from cancer. ZnO nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activity on different microorganisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as on spores that are resistant to high temperature and high pressure [4]. In contrast to their significant antimicrobial effects, nanoparticles made of ZnO were found to be non-toxic to human cells. Functionalization can be achieved through different modifications, and the sol–gel process is an important part of them by being a simple, practical and cost-effective approach [28] It enables facile coating by obtaining a homogenous layer on large sample surfaces, the easy control of reaction kinetics, lower sintering temperatures and other advantages [28,29,30]. The most important advantages of the sol–gel process is the fact that a homogenous, unified and flat coating can be achieved at a mild and low temperature (below 100 ◦ C), its flexibility and large surface modification [31]
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