Sustainable polymer coating for stainproof fabrics

Abstract

The extensive use of detergents in modern life and industry has seriously impeded ecologically sustainable development. Facing this unresolved global challenge, we herein propose a CAW (coating at will) concept to endow virtually arbitrary surfaces with underwater superoleophobicity that supports the fast and easy removal of oily stains by mere use of water. The key selling point of this CAW concept is its ability to sustainably regenerate the coating throughout an infinite life cycle. The foundation of this concept is to make use of rapid amyloid-like aggregation of lysozyme (Lyz) conjugated with zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (pSBMA). The resultant phase-transitioned Lyz-pSBMA (PTL-pSBMA) could quickly prime versatile surfaces to afford a robust colourless ultrathin nanofilm on surfaces with high hydrophilicity. As a result, the hydrophilic PTL-pSBMA layer endows materials with excellent underwater superoleophobicity and provides outstanding detergent-free cleaning efficiency to remove oily stains (e.g., greater than 95% on silk surfaces and 99% on dishes). With excellent optical transparency, biocompatibility and negligible effects on wearing comfort, the PTL-pSBMA further showed extraordinary cost-effectiveness ($675/ton) and great savings on water and energy by 40%-50%. Overall, this work proposes an ingenious CAW design that breaks down the long-standing surfactant contamination barriers in the traditional detergent industry. Such surfactant-free water washing strategy holds great promise towards scale-up application to replace commercial detergents in the removal of common stains from fabrics and kitchenware surfaces, thereby greatly inhibiting the negative environmental pressures caused by surfactant emissions and providing a transformative response to ecosystems and water resource protection on Earth.

Engineering Immunomodulatory Stents Using Zinc Ion–Lysozyme Nanoparticle Platform for Vascular Remodeling

“…Lysozyme unfolding was measured by monitoring the changes in its secondary structures during the phase transition. As shown in circular dichroism (CD) results (Figure H), the phase-transited BMC induced by the destruction of disulfide bonds showed a partial loss of its typical secondary structure, as the α-helix peak at 208 and 222 nm of native lysozyme was shifted to the shoulder peak at 216 nm of the antiparallel β-sheet structure. , …”

“…These deconvolution changes suggest the increase in the number of β-sheets and the decrease of α-helix and β-turn structures during the nucleation of partially unfolded lysozyme chains. 14,21 The phase transition process of lysozyme may lead to changes in the α-helix conformation. Additionally, Trp residues at positions 62 and 111 of the main antigenic epitopes moved from a strong hydrophobic environment to a weak hydrophobic environment, thereby indicating that the structure of these epitopes with fluorescent groups also changed, which reduces their binding ability to IgE and significantly reduces their immunogenicity.…”

Unraveling the Adhesion Behavior of Different Cell Lines on Biomimetic PEDOT Interfaces: The Role of Surface Morphology and Antifouling Properties

“…This hampers sensitivity and functionality and raises considerable concerns, such as blood coagulation. As a result, antifouling strategies have become a critical issue. − Modifying biomolecules to create structural hindrance, physically patterning biomimetic surfaces, or introducing hydrophilic functional groups are commonly used methods. , Zwitterionic polymers have attracted attention due to their feasibility of integrating with bioengineer devices. , High dipole moments along the chain that strongly interact with water, zwitterions form a firm hydration layer to prevent nonspecific binding from cells, bacteria, proteins, and other biomolecules. , Because of the neutrality of a zwitterionic modified surface, the adsorption of biomolecules contributes to no counterion release. It does not increase the entropy. , These biomimetic coatings are nonthrombogenic, nonfouling, and manipulated bioactive surface responses. , Phosphorylcholine (PC), the hydrophilic headgroup of lipids in the cell membrane, has been widely used in many systems.…”

Surface Microphase Separation and Water-Induced Reconstruction of Fluorinated Amphiphilic Copolymer Coatings for Soil Release Fabrics

“…With the increasing demand for cleanliness and hygiene, laundry detergents, one of the main homecare detergents, are becoming a major environmental and human problem. , Especially for pregnant women and children, heavy laundry detergent use can cause irritation and inflame airways, posing health risks. , Furthermore, the degradation of the ecosystem by surfactants in laundry detergents is continuously a challenge due to their ability to accumulate in the ecosystem . Fu et al have also pointed out this issue and proposed using hydrophilic biobased polymers to coat fabrics, imparting underwater antioil staining properties. This coating method eliminates the need for a detergent during the washing process and improves the cleaning efficiency for fabrics.…”

“…3,4 Furthermore, the degradation of the ecosystem by surfactants in laundry detergents is continuously a challenge due to their ability to accumulate in the ecosystem. 5 Fu et al 6 have also pointed out this issue and proposed using hydrophilic biobased polymers to coat fabrics, imparting underwater antioil staining properties. This coating method eliminates the need for a detergent during the washing process and improves the cleaning efficiency for fabrics.…”