Hybrid materials based on cotton fabric-Cu2O nanoparticles with antibacterial properties against S. aureus

Hybrid materials based on cuprous oxide nanoparticles (Cu2ONPs) adsorbed on cotton fabric (CF) fibers were synthesized by in situ Cu2+ reduction. Ascorbic acid (AsA) or hydroxylamine (HA) was used as chemical reducing agent in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or lactose (Lac) as protective agent. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra of the samples showed absorption bands in the region of 400–600 nm, attributed to Cu2O. Band gap energy estimated for Cu2O were about 2.5 eV and 2.2 eV for samples synthesized with AsA and HA, respectively. X-ray diffractograms showed characteristic peaks to cellulose I and Cu2O. AsA provided Cu2O with smaller particle size, better covering of the fibers as observed by scanning electron microscope and confirmed by contact angle measurements. CF-Cu2O nanocomposites exhibited interesting activity against S. aureus bacteria. [Display omitted] •In situ synthesis of Cu2O onto cotton fabric (CF) by chemical reduction of Cu2+.•Ascorbic acid or hydroxylamine provided different Cu2O particles size and shape.•Polyvinylpyrrolidone or lactose as protective agent provided very similar samples.•The CF-Cu2O nanocomposites show good antibacterial activity against S. aureus.