Antimicrobial protection of fabrics with poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-ZnO coating

Microbial infections are causing numerous deaths and can be found on various surfaces such as fabrics used in healthcare facilities as wound dressings or protective clothing in operating or sterile rooms. The study aimed to determine the difference in antibacterial activity of sheet, sphere, and rod-like ZnO NPs embedded in poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) multilayers on cotton, nylon, and polyester with Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the adhesion of recombinant human SARS-CoV-2 RBD S-protein on the coated materials and the water droplet absorption after placement on the fabric surface were tested. Results demonstrated that PAH/ZnO coating with rod-like NPs achieved the highest antibacterial activity on the cotton fabric, with the Staphylococcus aureus cell viability reduced by more than 99%. ZnO NPs significantly reduced bacterial surface coverage on textiles, particularly on cotton and polyester. The adhesion of SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein was reduced considerably on the coated nylon fabrics due to the change in the material’s hydrophobicity and wettability. Due to its better ZnO NP adherence, cotton demonstrated slightly higher antibacterial performance than polyester and nylon, showing potential for wound dressings, especially with the addition of rod-like ZnO NPs. PAH/ZnO coated nylon showed potential for usage in protective clothing in operating and sterile rooms against bacteria, viral adhesion, and aerosol absorption through the fabrics to the skin.