Advanced antimicrobial coatings for PPE: synergistic effects of polyethylene glycol and ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is important in protecting healthcare workers and individuals from infections, especially in high-risk settings. This study explores the development of advanced antimicrobial coatings for PPE fabrics, incorporating polyethylene glycol and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. The antibacterial efficacy was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), while antiviral performance was assessed using feline coronavirus. Various coating formulations with ZnO concentrations of 0.2, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt% were prepared, with the 0.75 wt% formulation demonstrating the highest antimicrobial effectiveness. This coating exhibited 99.9968% antiviral activity and, antibacterial inhibition zones of 30.3 ± 0.6 mm for S. aureus and 29.3 ± 0.6 mm for E. coli. Surface morphology and elemental composition analyzed using SEM, EDX, and AFM, confirmed the uniform distribution of ZnO across the surface. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed that the coatings retained their transparency, while thermal stability was confirmed through TGA analysis.