Polyurethane-Based T‑ZIF‑8 Nanofibers as Photocatalytic Antibacterial Materials

Much attention has been paid to compound a ZIF-8 antibacterial agent with textiles for recycling. However, antibacterial inactivation may be caused by dissolution of the ZIF-8 antibacterial agent in postfinishing technology. In this work, a nondissolution-bonded T-ZIF-8-PEG-TPU photocatalyst was prepared by covalent immobilization, and then, bonded antibacterial fibers T-ZIF-8-PEG-TPU were fabricated by electrospinning technology. The microstructure of the fibers was regulated by optimizing the spinning solution concentration, PEG content, and conductive salt content. The optimum process parameters are 22 wt % spinning solution, 3.3 wt % PEG, and 0.5 wt % ZnCl₂ conductive salt. The intrinsic relationship between the fiber microstructure and photocatalytic antibacterial property, moisture permeability, and hydrophobicity was investigated. The antibacterial rate of the fiber membrane against Staphylococcus aureus reaches 100% after 30 min of visible light irradiation, and the antibacterial rate of Escherichia coli is 99.6% after visible light irradiation for 120 min. The fiber membrane has a standard grade I moisture permeability rate and a certain waterproof effect. It has potential applications in the field of health protection such as medical dressings and medical protective products.