Articolo in rivista, 2023, ENG, 10.1080/15440478.2022.2156020

Graphene-Curcumin Coatings Resistant to SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacteria for the Production of Personal Protective Equipment

De Maio, Flavio; Santarelli, Giulia; Palmieri, Valentina; Perini, Giordano; Salustri, Alessandro; Palucci, Ivana; Carpini, Giovanni Delli; Augello, Alberto; Sanguinetti, Maurizio; De Spirito, Marco; Sali, Michela; Delogu, Giovanni; Papi, Massimiliano

Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze biotecnologiche di base, cliniche intensivologiche e perioperatorie - Sezione di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Rome, Italy; Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISC-CNR), Roma, Italy; Mater Olbia Hospital, Olbia, Italy

Respiratory tract infections represent the main cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 infection (i.e. COVID-19) added to the existing global burden of respiratory tract infections, including tuberculosis. Among nanomaterials for fabric functionalization, graphene, in combination with hydrophobic molecules such as phytochemicals, represents a promising low-cost alternative to antibiotics. In this work, we used graphene and curcumin to create fabric coatings on cotton and polyester for the production of personal protective equipment resistant to infective agents. These coatings ensure the trapping of microorganisms via interaction with SARS-CoV-2 or mycobacteria surface and inhibit microbial infections.

Journal of natural fibers 20 (1), pp. 2156020-1–2156020-8

Keywords

Graphene, curcumin, coatings, PPE, tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19

CNR authors

Palmieri Valentina

CNR institutes

ISC – Istituto dei sistemi complessi