Graphene- and Nanoparticle-Embedded Antimicrobial and Biocompatible Cotton/Silk Fabrics for Protective Clothing

Protection against pathogens using personal protective equipment is essential yet challenging in healthcare settings. Concerns over emerging biothreats and outbreaks of infectious diseases underscore the need for antimicrobial and biocompatible protective clothing to protect patients and staff. Herein, we report the antimicrobial efficacy and cytotoxicity of cotton/silk fabrics containing embedded reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and Ag/Cu nanoparticles (NPs), prepared using a 3-glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxy silane coupling agent followed by chemical reduction and vacuum heat treatment. Embedding NPs on top of the RGO layer substantially increased the antimicrobial activity. All RGO–Ag NPs or RGO–Cu NPs embedded in cotton or silk fabrics reduced the viability of approximately 99% of the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. RGO–Ag NPs embedded into cotton or silk fabrics reduced the viability of the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus by 78–99%, which was higher than the growth inhibition by RGO–Cu NPs samples against S. aureus. Both silk and cotton containing RGO–Cu NPs produced a greater reduction in the viability of the yeast Candida albicans compared to RGO–Ag NPs fabrics. All RGO–Ag NPs or RGO–Cu NPs embedded in cotton or silk fabrics showed good washing durability by sustaining good bactericidal activity, even on washing up to 10 times. Moreover, none of the RGO–Ag or RGO–Cu fabrics reduced mammalian cells’ (HEK293) viability by >30%, suggesting low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility. These findings show that RGO–NPs embedded in cotton or silk fabrics have great potential for use in protective clothing and medical textiles.