Enhancement of antimicrobial, water-absorbent, and resilient properties in Chinese brushes through surface grafting of polyamide fibers with copper peroxide-loaded hyaluronic acid

Abstract

Chinese brushes are essential tools for traditional Chinese writing and painting. Currently, these brushes consist mainly of animal hair and polyamide fibers. However, polyamide fibers exhibit poor hydrophilicity, leading to inefficient ink utilization. Additionally, the storage and usage environments of these brushes are susceptible to bacterial contamination, negatively affecting their lifespan and the quality of their output. To address these issues, we prepared a copper peroxide (CuO₂)-loaded hyaluronic acid (HA) grafted polyamide, resulting in PA-CuO₂/HA brushes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the PA surface was coated with a layer of HA, significantly enhancing its hydrophilicity and enabling higher ink absorption. Notably, HA-modified PA exhibited increased resilience and provided enhanced support. The incorporation of CuO₂ produced reactive oxygen species and copper ions, inhibiting bacterial growth. This study concludes that modifying PA with CuO₂ and HA enhances the performance of Chinese brushes. Finally, the authors showcased traditional Chinese calligraphy using PA-CuO₂/HA brushes, highlighting significant potential applications from this research.