Microwave assisted ultrafast immobilization of CuO nanostructures in paper matrices for antimicrobial applications

CuO nanoflakes with dimension of 50-150 nm x 200 nm were successfully immobilized on the surface of cellulose fibers by an ultrafast (5 min reaction time), scalable microwave assisted method. The high retention of CuO up to 70% has been phenomenal considering that the immobilization was carried out in the absence of any linker, binder or retention aid. Retention of almost 87% of the immobilized CuO nanostructures even after five consecutive recyclability steps has been unprecedented. The antimicrobial activities of the paper matrices have been investigated by deactivating both G. trabeum and E. coli. The CuO immobilized paper matrices have desisted the growth of G. trabeum up to 28 days and completely deactivated E. coli (CFU in order of 10(7)) in the presence of visible light with exposure time of 2 h only. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

In this study, CuO nanoflakes with dimensions of 50-150 nm x 200 nm were successfully immobilized on cellulose fibers using an ultrafast microwave assisted method. The high retention rate of CuO up to 70% without the use of any linker, binder, or retention aid is remarkable. The research also demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of CuO immobilized paper matrices.