Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Electrospun Recycled PET Polymeric Fibers Functionalized with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Currently, to reduce the environmental problems associated with plastic waste, methods are being sought to use this waste as raw materials in different applications, such as fibers. In addition, to improve these materials and provide different properties, nanoparticles (NPs) are incorporated. In the present work, polymeric fibers made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) from post-consumer water bottles, functionalized with 0%, 1.5%, 3% and 6% zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in function of r-PET weight, were elaborated to evaluate their antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. The ZnO-NPs were synthesized by the solvothermal method, obtaining particles with a mean diameter of 38.15 nm, while the fibers were obtained by electrospinning with a diameter range between 200–5000 nm. The functionalized fibers were carried out against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis through the agar diffusion method, obtaining the highest inhibition halo at 6% w/w ZnO-NPs, being 26.5 mm and 34.25 mm, respectively. In addition, the same method was used to evaluate the antifungal activity of Penicillium s.p. and Fusarium graminearum, observing antifungal properties due to the presence of nanoparticles in the fibers.

The Effect of the Addition of Copper Particles in High-Density Recycled Polyethylene Matrices by Extrusion

“…Vásquez et al [ 63 ] studied the antibacterial effect of incorporating ZnO-NPs in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) polymeric fibers, and they measured the diameter of inhibition (in mm) for the bacteria E. coli and S. aureus . The antibacterial properties of r-PET were lower than virgin PET, using the same quantity of added ZnO-NPs, suggesting that the recycling process affects the antibacterial behavior of the polymers.…”

Recycling and Reutilizing Polymer Waste via Electrospun Micro/Nanofibers: A Review

“…Similarly, Attila et al electrospun recycled PET to polymer fibers with diameters ranging from 200 to 600 nm, with potential use in filtration [ 93 ]. In addition, electrospun recycled PET can be applied in energy storage [ 77 ], antibiotics [ 94 ], electromagnetic shielding, [ 95 ] and so on. Karashanova et al demonstrated that electrospun recycled PET on paper and textile materials results in a waterproof coating, possibly used for protective clothing and waterproof paper [ 78 ].…”

“…Alirezazadeh and colleagues electrospun a micro/nanofibrous core-sheath yarn with recycled PET wrapped by PAN containing dimethyl 5-sodium sulfoisophthalate nanoparticles and examined its wicking behavior for filtration [ 108 ]. Vanegas et al revealed that electrospinning the recycled PET and zinc oxide nanoparticles together could obtain fibers with antibacterial and antifungal properties [ 94 ]. In a study by Hou et al, icephobic nanocomposite electrospun membranes from recycled PET modified with SiO 2 exhibited high electromagnetic shielding efficiency with superhydrophobic and icephobic performance [ 95 ].…”

Valorization of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Plastic Wastes as Nanofibrous Membranes for Oil Removal: Sustainable Solution for Plastic Waste and Oil Pollution

“…30 For instance, Vasquez et al recently reported the development of antibacterial and antifungal PET fibers functionalized with zinc oxide nanoparticles. 27 The fibers were prepared by electrospinning from trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) solutions. In another study, PET bottles were recycled into electrospun fibers, which were successfully employed for air filtration against PM-2.5 particles and a fluorescent virus-mimicking protein.…”

“…The electrospinning technique has been applied to various recycled polymers, − including recovered PET . For instance, Vasquez et al recently reported the development of antibacterial and antifungal PET fibers functionalized with zinc oxide nanoparticles . The fibers were prepared by electrospinning from trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) solutions.…”