Antibacterial Performance and Mechanistic Investigation of Cu2O Nanoparticles for Textile ApplicationsC

Abstract

—As bacterial resistance rises, developing safe and effective antibacterial materials is a key challenge for public health and functional textiles. Cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) has attracted considerable attention due to its excellent antibacterial activity, low cost, and environmental friendliness. In this study, Cu 2 O nanoparticles were synthesized and systematically evaluated for their antibacterial performance and underlying mechanisms. Their morphology, crystal structure, and composition were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental mapping, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Antibacterial activity was assessed against representative bacterial strains at different concentrations and on textile substrates. Mechanistic studies included biofilm inhibition, nucleic acid leakage, and redox-related assays. The results demonstrated that Cu 2 O nanoparticles exhibited concentration-dependent antibacterial effects, effectively inhibiting bacterial growth on textiles, while causing significant membrane disruption and intracellular nucleic acid leakage. These findings indicate that the antibacterial activity primarily arises from cell membrane damage and intracellular leakage, with redox processes contributing to enhanced inactivation. This work provides mechanistic insights into Cu 2 O-based antibacterial materials and supports their application in functional textiles.