Deposition of Copper on Poly(Lactide) Non-Woven Fabrics by Magnetron Sputtering—Fabrication of New Multi-Functional, Antimicrobial Composite Materials

Abstract

The paper presents the method of synthesis; physico-technical and biological characterization of a new composite material (PLA-Cu⁰) obtained by sputter deposition of copper on melt-blown poly(lactide) (PLA) non-woven fabrics. The analysis of these biofunctionalized non-woven fabrics included: ultraviolet/visible (UV/VIS) transmittance; scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS); attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy; ability to block UV radiation; filtration parameters (air permeability); and tensile testing. The functionalized non-woven composite materials were subjected to antimicrobial tests against colonies of Gram-negative (<i>Escherichia coli</i>), Gram-positive (<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>) bacteria and antifungal tests against the <i>Chaetomium globosum</i> fungal mould species. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of PLA-Cu⁰ suggests potential applications as an antimicrobial material.