A facile strategy for rapid in situ synthesis of Cu2O on PP non-woven fabric with durable antibacterial activities

As the commercially filter material used in a face mask, polypropylene (PP) non-woven fabric is considerably important for personal and medical protection, which plays an essential role in reducing exposure to infectious respiratory bacteria and airborne aerosol particles. Herein, a facial and rapid strategy for in situ synthesis of cuprous oxide nanoparticles (Cu2O NPs) on PP nonwovens with the durable antibacterial property was demonstrated using high-temperature polydimethylsiloxane based on the concept of material engineering. Owing to the instantaneously slight melting of the PP surface layer at high temperature, Cu2O NPs were rapidly in situ constructed and immobilized on the fiber surface to form an organic and inorganic hybrid layer. The as-prepared Cu2O-PP non-woven fabric exhibited excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial properties towards both the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, showing an inhibition zone of 39 mm and 18 mm for B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa, respectively. Furthermore, a durable antibacterial property was also achieved after 50 times of standard washing. Finally, the as-prepared Cu2O-PP non-woven fabric was used as an insert filter to fabricate a four-layer PP-based face mask, which may significantly improve the antibacterial performance of masks. The method provides a facile engineering strategy for medical protection with great application potential.