Dopamine-assisted functionalized cuprous oxide induced high biocompatibility and antibacterial polyethylene fibers

Abstract

In response to the growing challenge of bacterial contamination, the development of antibacterial fibers with high efficacy and low toxicity has become a critical area of research. These fibers are typically produced by incorporating antibacterial agents into the fiber matrix through surface modification techniques. However, existing coating technologies encounter difficulties such as non-uniformity and weak adhesion, often resulting from the incompatibility between organic and inorganic interfaces. Drawing inspiration from mussel adhesion chemistry, self-polymerizing polydopamine was employed to immobilize halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and nano-cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) onto the surface of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fibers. Additionally, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was introduced to enhance the dispersion and stability of Cu₂O on the HNT surface. The resulting antibacterial fibers inactivate bacteria through a combination of copper ion and quaternary ammonium salt adsorption, physical disruption by HNTs, and sustained release of Cu²⁺ ions. Notably, these fibers demonstrate exceptional long-term antibacterial efficacy, achieving a 99.99 % inactivation rate against E. coli and B. subtilis even after washing 50 cycles. Moreover, the antibacterial PE fibers exhibit a tensile strength of 32.5 ± 2.3 MPa and a water contact angle of 95.3 ± 0.6°, effectively preventing bacterial adhesion. The multi-layered structural design enhances both stability and adaptability, suggesting promising potential for applications in the biomedical field.