Antibacterial <scp>GO</scp>@<scp>SiO₂</scp> nanofluids/natural rubber composite films with and simultaneously enhanced mechanical strength and elongation at break: A new strategy beyond nanofillers

Abstract Developing nonchemical cross‐linked natural rubber (NR) latex gloves with antibacterial properties and simultaneously enhanced mechanical strength and elongation at break is challenging. In this study, liquid‐like silica (SiO 2 ) nanofluids (SiO 2 nfs) with hard SiO 2 cores and soft organic molecule shells are synthesized and then self‐assembled with graphene oxide (GO) via electrostatic interactions to create GO@SiO 2 nfs hybrids, which are blended with NR latex. Strong hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions between NR latex particles and GO@SiO 2 nfs hybrids form physically cross‐linked GO@SiO 2 nfs/NR composite films. The rigid GO in the hybrids provided reinforcement, while the vicious SiO 2 nfs facilitated the energy dissipation during stretching. This synergy results in simultaneous improvements in the mechanical strength and elongation at break of the GO@SiO 2 nfs/NR composite films. Their tensile strength increased by 95.2% compared with pure NR films and by 20.6% compared with GO/NR composite films, and the elongation at break improved by 27.8% and 19.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of quaternary ammonium cation in SiO 2 nfs conferred excellent antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to the GO@SiO 2 nfs/NR composite films. These results offer valuable insights for the development of high‐performance, nonchemical cross‐linked NR latex products.