Eco‐Friendly Approach for the Development of Robust Zinc Oxide/Starch‐Coated Hydrophobic and Antibacterial Cotton Fabrics for Biomedical Applications

Abstract In response to rising pollution, global pandemics, and heightened hygiene awareness, this study presents a sustainable strategy to develop protective textiles. A cost‐effective ultrasonication method was employed to fabricate zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) coated cotton (ZOC), and ZnO NPs‐starch coated cotton (ZOSC) fabrics. Biocompatible corn starch (1–3 wt%) was incorporated to enhance NPs adhesion, minimize leaching, and improve durability. Structural and morphological analyses were performed using XRD, SEM, and EDAX. The functional evaluation included wettability, mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and washing durability. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed ZnO loading and stability pre‐ and post‐laundering. ZOC fabric showed 5.9% ZnO leaching, whereas ZOSC‐3% exhibited only 3.7%, confirming better NPs retention. Even after 10 laundering cycles, ZOSC‐3% retained a high‐water contact angle (128°), demonstrating good durability. In antibacterial tests, ZOSC‐3% shows a larger zone of inhibition against S. aureus and E. coli compared to ZOC. The ZOSC‐3% fabric demonstrated good hydrophobicity, antibacterial efficacy, and laundering resistance compared to ZOC, confirming the starch's stabilizing effect. These results suggest that starch‐mediated ZnO coatings significantly enhance fabric performance and longevity. This facile fabrication route offers a promising solution for producing multifunctional, durable textiles suited for healthcare and hygiene‐related applications.