In situ and initiator-free atmospheric plasma-induced functionalization of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate on nonwoven cosmetic masks for the evaluation of the bacteria inhibitory effect

In this study, poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) polymer brushes were successfully immobilized on nonwoven cosmetic masks with different molecular weights (Mw: 360 and 500 Da) to exert a bacterial inhibitory effect by in situ and initiator-free atmospheric plasma-induced surface functionalization. Oxygen, nitrogen, and argon were employed in the process of atmospheric plasma modification. The characterizations of PEGMA polymer brushes modified on the cosmetic masks were evaluated by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, water contact angle, and water-absorption capability (%). The results show that PEGMA modification could greatly improve hydrophilicity and water retention. Compared to the pristine cosmetic masks, the contact angle of the cosmetic masks decreases by approximately 10, and the water absorption capability (%) increases from 368% to 455%. Furthermore, the PEGMA-functionalized cosmetic masks display superior bacterial inhibitory effects and excellent biocompatibility, especially PEGMA 500. Compared with PEGMA 360, the broader zone of inhibition of PEGMA 500 was observed to resist bacteria in the three kinds of gas plasma functionalization. Therefore, PEGMA-modification can enhance the hydrophilicity and bacterial inhibitory effect of cosmetic masks, which has the potential to be applied in postsurgical repair and in burn patients to avoid bacterial or viral infections.

Automated summary

In this study, PEGMA polymer brushes were successfully immobilized on nonwoven cosmetic masks to enhance hydrophilicity and water retention, showing superior bacterial inhibitory effects and biocompatibility. PEGMA 500 exhibited broader zone of inhibition to resist bacteria compared with PEGMA 360 in three kinds of gas plasma functionalization.