Antibacterial GO@SiO₂ nanofluids/natural rubber composite films with and simultaneously enhanced mechanical strength and elongation at break: A new strategy beyond nanofillers

Abstract

Developing nonchemical cross‐linked natural rubber (NR) latex gloves with antibacterial properties and simultaneously enhanced mechanical strength and elongation at break is challenging. In this study, liquid‐like silica (SiO2) nanofluids (SiO2 nfs) with hard SiO2 cores and soft organic molecule shells are synthesized and then self‐assembled with graphene oxide (GO) via electrostatic interactions to create GO@SiO2 nfs hybrids, which are blended with NR latex. Strong hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions between NR latex particles and GO@SiO2 nfs hybrids form physically cross‐linked GO@SiO2 nfs/NR composite films. The rigid GO in the hybrids provided reinforcement, while the vicious SiO2 nfs facilitated the energy dissipation during stretching. This synergy results in simultaneous improvements in the mechanical strength and elongation at break of the GO@SiO2 nfs/NR composite films. Their tensile strength increased by 95.2% compared with pure NR films and by 20.6% compared with GO/NR composite films, and the elongation at break improved by 27.8% and 19.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of quaternary ammonium cation in SiO2 nfs conferred excellent antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to the GO@SiO2 nfs/NR composite films. These results offer valuable insights for the development of high‐performance, nonchemical cross‐linked NR latex products.