Efficient fabrication of hunting trap inspired degradable film with enhancing antimicrobial activity and reducing fomite transmission

Abstract

The extensive application of medical protective polymers has significantly contributed to preserving human lives and well-being. Due to the widespread use of protective polymer materials and their non-degradable nature, environmental and biological pollution issues are becoming increasingly severe. To address the environmental pollution problems caused by traditional polymer materials, this study proposes an efficient and successive method for the mass production of polylactic acid/graphene oxide (MNPG) films with the hunting trap-inspired pyramidal micro/nanostructure by combining micro-extrusion compression molding and electrostatic flocking. The hunting trap-inspired pyramidal micro/nanostructure enhances liquid repellency and antibacterial performance, effectively reducing contaminant adhesion. The MNPG film exhibits an impressive antibacterial efficacy, inhibiting bacterial growth by up to 98.1%, demonstrating excellent repellency against common liquids, such as blood, bovine serum albumin, milk, and tea, leaving no detectable residue. This provides initial protection against bacterial adhesion and dissemination as well as the spread of pollutants. Importantly, the film retains only 30 wt% of its original mass after 14 days in degradation experiments, indicating favorable biodegradability. This method offers a novel approach for designing sustainable protective materials and holds potential to replace traditional non-degradable polymers.