Cu-ZnO Embedded in a Polydopamine Shell for the Generation of Antibacterial Surgical Face Masks.

ABSTRACT: 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 characteriz

SUBMITTER: d'Alessandro N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11434467 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature