Advanced antimicrobial coatings for PPE: synergistic effects of polyethylene glycol and ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract Personal protective equipment (PPE) is important in protecting healthcare workers and individuals from infections, especially in high-risk settings. This study explores the development of advanced antimicrobial coatings for PPE fabrics, incorporating polyethylene glycol and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. The antibacterial efficacy was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) and Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), while antiviral performance was assessed using feline coronavirus. Various coating formulations with ZnO concentrations of 0.2, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt% were prepared, with the 0.75 wt% formulation demonstrating the highest antimicrobial effectiveness. This coating exhibited 99.9968% antiviral activity and, antibacterial inhibition zones of 30.3 ± 0.6 mm for S. aureus and 29.3 ± 0.6 mm for E. coli . Surface morphology and elemental composition analyzed using SEM, EDX, and AFM, confirmed the uniform distribution of ZnO across the surface. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed that the coatings retained their transparency, while thermal stability was confirmed through TGA analysis.