The potential microbial inactivation mechanisms of reduced graphene oxide functionalized textiles

Disinfection is crucial for medical protective clothing (MPC), as improper disinfection may cause secondary transmission during use and after disposal, especially for reusable MPC (RMPC). Reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a photosensitive material, has the potential to kill microorganisms by generating...

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Main Authors: Qinghong Huang, Tianyu Kou, Mingrui Liao, Tianhao Ge, Jing Liu, Jian R. Lu, Heng Zhai, Yi Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Materials & Design
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525004952
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author Qinghong Huang
Tianyu Kou
Mingrui Liao
Tianhao Ge
Jing Liu
Jian R. Lu
Heng Zhai
Yi Li
author_facet Qinghong Huang
Tianyu Kou
Mingrui Liao
Tianhao Ge
Jing Liu
Jian R. Lu
Heng Zhai
Yi Li
author_sort Qinghong Huang
collection DOAJ
description Disinfection is crucial for medical protective clothing (MPC), as improper disinfection may cause secondary transmission during use and after disposal, especially for reusable MPC (RMPC). Reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a photosensitive material, has the potential to kill microorganisms by generating heat or voltage on textiles. To investigate this, we tested both photothermal and photovoltaic effects of rGO coated canionised (Cat-rGO) cotton fabric and the wet spinning rGO yarn with the xenon lamp, and a series of physical properties were also tested. Results show that under sufficient light intensities, Cat-rGO fabric easily reaches temperatures that can kill various common viruses, evidently inactivate both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and dries faster than pristine fabric. For rGO yarn, its temperature is significantly lower than Cat-rGO fabric when attached on common cotton fabric. As for photovoltaic effect, however, only rGO yarn can generate a voltage under light exposure, while Cat-rGO fabric does not. Despite this, in general, using the photothermal effect of Cat-rGO fabric to kill microorganism is more effective. This study demonstrates that Cat-rGO fabric can disinfect using light alone, without chemicals, metals, or extra equipment. It is an ideal choice for self-disinfecting RMPC and for use in medical facilities.
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spelling doaj-art-d70f7868c2c54a00a4a78087701b24772025-08-20T03:46:47ZengElsevierMaterials & Design0264-12752025-06-0125411407510.1016/j.matdes.2025.114075The potential microbial inactivation mechanisms of reduced graphene oxide functionalized textilesQinghong Huang0Tianyu Kou1Mingrui Liao2Tianhao Ge3Jing Liu4Jian R. Lu5Heng Zhai6Yi Li7Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKDepartment of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKDepartment of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKDepartment of Chemical Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; Corresponding authors.Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; Corresponding authors.Disinfection is crucial for medical protective clothing (MPC), as improper disinfection may cause secondary transmission during use and after disposal, especially for reusable MPC (RMPC). Reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a photosensitive material, has the potential to kill microorganisms by generating heat or voltage on textiles. To investigate this, we tested both photothermal and photovoltaic effects of rGO coated canionised (Cat-rGO) cotton fabric and the wet spinning rGO yarn with the xenon lamp, and a series of physical properties were also tested. Results show that under sufficient light intensities, Cat-rGO fabric easily reaches temperatures that can kill various common viruses, evidently inactivate both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and dries faster than pristine fabric. For rGO yarn, its temperature is significantly lower than Cat-rGO fabric when attached on common cotton fabric. As for photovoltaic effect, however, only rGO yarn can generate a voltage under light exposure, while Cat-rGO fabric does not. Despite this, in general, using the photothermal effect of Cat-rGO fabric to kill microorganism is more effective. This study demonstrates that Cat-rGO fabric can disinfect using light alone, without chemicals, metals, or extra equipment. It is an ideal choice for self-disinfecting RMPC and for use in medical facilities.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525004952Photothermal effectCotton fabricReduced graphene oxideAntimicrobial abilityReduced graphene oxide yarn
spellingShingle Qinghong Huang
Tianyu Kou
Mingrui Liao
Tianhao Ge
Jing Liu
Jian R. Lu
Heng Zhai
Yi Li
The potential microbial inactivation mechanisms of reduced graphene oxide functionalized textiles
Materials & Design
Photothermal effect
Cotton fabric
Reduced graphene oxide
Antimicrobial ability
Reduced graphene oxide yarn
title The potential microbial inactivation mechanisms of reduced graphene oxide functionalized textiles
title_full The potential microbial inactivation mechanisms of reduced graphene oxide functionalized textiles
title_fullStr The potential microbial inactivation mechanisms of reduced graphene oxide functionalized textiles
title_full_unstemmed The potential microbial inactivation mechanisms of reduced graphene oxide functionalized textiles
title_short The potential microbial inactivation mechanisms of reduced graphene oxide functionalized textiles
title_sort potential microbial inactivation mechanisms of reduced graphene oxide functionalized textiles
topic Photothermal effect
Cotton fabric
Reduced graphene oxide
Antimicrobial ability
Reduced graphene oxide yarn
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525004952
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