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.