Electrospun PAN/CuO/curcumin composite nanofiber mats for efficient antimicrobial face masks†
Abstract
A copper oxide (CuO)-based nanocomposite with different concentrations of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and curcumin was synthesized for antibacterial applications. An electrospinning method was utilized to synthesize PAN/CuO and PAN/CuO/curcumin nanofibers, which were incorporated into a face mask to confer it with antimicrobial activity. The analysis of the XRD pattern of CuO confirmed the crystalline monoclinic phase. The FTIR peaks at 3439 cm−1, 1369 cm−1, and 3720 cm−1 were attributed to the O–H stretching band of water, stretching vibrations due to CO, and C–H stretching vibrations of the CH2 group of bonding from acrylonitrile, respectively, confirming the formation of PAN nanofibers. The peak at 668 cm−1 assigned to Cu–O stretching indicated the presence of CuO. A 7 mm-diameter PAN/CuO nanofiber zone could inhibit about a 15 mm zone of E. coli, whereas just a 3 mm-diameter PAN/CuO/curcumin nanofiber zone could inhibit about a 19 mm zone of E. coli. This indicated that the PAN/CuO/curcumin nanofibers have excellent antibacterial properties compared to the PAN/CuO nanofibers against Escherichia coli (E. coli). In contact angle, the PAN nanofibers were hydrophilic, whereas the PAN/CuO and PAN/CuO/curcumin nanofibers showed a hydrophobic nature. Hence, the present study indicates that PAN/CuO/curcumin nanofiber–based materials can efficiently protect against bacteria, and this would be an outstanding improvement for low-cost surgical face masks.