High-Saturation Structural Colored, Antibacterial and Superhydrophobic Textiles via Cuprous Oxide Construction

Structural coloration is a highly promising environmentally friendly textile coloring technology. Currently, it is limited in application by its dependence on dark substrates and low color saturation. If structural color materials are simultaneously imparted with special functions, their application fields can be significantly expanded. In this study, cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) nanoparticles are in situ self-assembled on the surface of textiles. By adjusting the molar ratio of citrate to Cu²⁺, the particle size can be precisely regulated within the range of 180-320 nm, and structural colors across the entire visible spectrum from blue, green, yellow, orange to red can be obtained. The prepared textiles exhibit angle-independent high color purity. In addition, the textiles exhibited excellent antibacterial activity, achieving 100% inhibition against both <i>E. coli</i> and <i>S. aureus</i>, thus possessing dual functions of color development and antibacterial activity. Polyurethane adhesive and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface modification were applied to enhance interfacial adhesion and mechanical stability, whereby high mechanical strength and superior hydrophobicity (water contact angle > 145°) were simultaneously imparted to the textiles.