Cu-ZnO Embedded in a Polydopamine Shell for the Generation of Antibacterial Surgical Face Masks
A new easy protocol to functionalize the middle layer of commercial surgical face masks (FMs) with Zn and Cu oxides is proposed in order to obtain antibacterial personal protective equipment. Zinc and copper oxides were synthesized embedded in a polydopamine (PDA) shell as potential antibacterial ag...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-09-01
|
| Series: | Molecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/18/4512 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850260148712374272 |
|---|---|
| author | Nicola d’Alessandro Francesca Coccia Luca Agostino Vitali Giorgia Rastelli Amedeo Cinosi Andrea Mascitti Lucia Tonucci |
| author_facet | Nicola d’Alessandro Francesca Coccia Luca Agostino Vitali Giorgia Rastelli Amedeo Cinosi Andrea Mascitti Lucia Tonucci |
| author_sort | Nicola d’Alessandro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A new easy protocol to functionalize the middle layer of commercial surgical face masks (FMs) with Zn and Cu oxides is proposed in order to obtain antibacterial personal protective equipment. Zinc and copper oxides were synthesized embedded in a polydopamine (PDA) shell as potential antibacterial agents; they were analyzed by XRD and TEM, revealing, in all the cases, the formation of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs). PDA is a natural polymer appreciated for its simple and rapid synthesis, biocompatibility, and high functionalization; it is used in this work as an organic matrix that, in addition to stabilizing NPs, also acts as a diluent in the functionalization step, decreasing the metal loading on the polypropylene (PP) surface. The functionalized middle layers of the FMs were characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR, and TXRF and tested in their bacterial-growth-inhibiting effect against <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Among all functionalizing agents, Cu<sub>2</sub>O-doped-ZnO NPs enclosed in PDA shell, prepared by an ultrasound-assisted method, showed the best antibacterial effect, even at low metal loading, without changing the hydrophobicity of the FM. This approach offers a sustainable solution by prolonging FM lifespan and reducing material waste. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e4bd91a0853845d0a6a921c4e9f9e83a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-e4bd91a0853845d0a6a921c4e9f9e83a2025-08-20T01:55:42ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492024-09-012918451210.3390/molecules29184512Cu-ZnO Embedded in a Polydopamine Shell for the Generation of Antibacterial Surgical Face MasksNicola d’Alessandro0Francesca Coccia1Luca Agostino Vitali2Giorgia Rastelli3Amedeo Cinosi4Andrea Mascitti5Lucia Tonucci6Department of Engineering and Geology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Viale Pindaro 42, 65127 Pescara, ItalyDepartment of Socio-Economic, Managerial and Statistical Studies, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, 66100 Chieti, ItalySchool of Pharmacy, University of Camerino via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, 66100 Chieti, ItalyG.N.R. s.r.l., Via Torino 7, 28010 Agrate Conturbia, ItalyDepartment of Engineering and Geology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Viale Pindaro 42, 65127 Pescara, ItalyTEMA Research Center, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, ItalyA new easy protocol to functionalize the middle layer of commercial surgical face masks (FMs) with Zn and Cu oxides is proposed in order to obtain antibacterial personal protective equipment. Zinc and copper oxides were synthesized embedded in a polydopamine (PDA) shell as potential antibacterial agents; they were analyzed by XRD and TEM, revealing, in all the cases, the formation of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs). PDA is a natural polymer appreciated for its simple and rapid synthesis, biocompatibility, and high functionalization; it is used in this work as an organic matrix that, in addition to stabilizing NPs, also acts as a diluent in the functionalization step, decreasing the metal loading on the polypropylene (PP) surface. The functionalized middle layers of the FMs were characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR, and TXRF and tested in their bacterial-growth-inhibiting effect against <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Among all functionalizing agents, Cu<sub>2</sub>O-doped-ZnO NPs enclosed in PDA shell, prepared by an ultrasound-assisted method, showed the best antibacterial effect, even at low metal loading, without changing the hydrophobicity of the FM. This approach offers a sustainable solution by prolonging FM lifespan and reducing material waste.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/18/4512face masksantibacterial functionalizationcopper oxidezinc oxidepolydopamine |
| spellingShingle | Nicola d’Alessandro Francesca Coccia Luca Agostino Vitali Giorgia Rastelli Amedeo Cinosi Andrea Mascitti Lucia Tonucci Cu-ZnO Embedded in a Polydopamine Shell for the Generation of Antibacterial Surgical Face Masks Molecules face masks antibacterial functionalization copper oxide zinc oxide polydopamine |
| title | Cu-ZnO Embedded in a Polydopamine Shell for the Generation of Antibacterial Surgical Face Masks |
| title_full | Cu-ZnO Embedded in a Polydopamine Shell for the Generation of Antibacterial Surgical Face Masks |
| title_fullStr | Cu-ZnO Embedded in a Polydopamine Shell for the Generation of Antibacterial Surgical Face Masks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cu-ZnO Embedded in a Polydopamine Shell for the Generation of Antibacterial Surgical Face Masks |
| title_short | Cu-ZnO Embedded in a Polydopamine Shell for the Generation of Antibacterial Surgical Face Masks |
| title_sort | cu zno embedded in a polydopamine shell for the generation of antibacterial surgical face masks |
| topic | face masks antibacterial functionalization copper oxide zinc oxide polydopamine |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/18/4512 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nicoladalessandro cuznoembeddedinapolydopamineshellforthegenerationofantibacterialsurgicalfacemasks AT francescacoccia cuznoembeddedinapolydopamineshellforthegenerationofantibacterialsurgicalfacemasks AT lucaagostinovitali cuznoembeddedinapolydopamineshellforthegenerationofantibacterialsurgicalfacemasks AT giorgiarastelli cuznoembeddedinapolydopamineshellforthegenerationofantibacterialsurgicalfacemasks AT amedeocinosi cuznoembeddedinapolydopamineshellforthegenerationofantibacterialsurgicalfacemasks AT andreamascitti cuznoembeddedinapolydopamineshellforthegenerationofantibacterialsurgicalfacemasks AT luciatonucci cuznoembeddedinapolydopamineshellforthegenerationofantibacterialsurgicalfacemasks |