Eco-Friendly Radiation Curable Acrylate Coatings Reinforced with Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes for Antimicrobial Application

Abstract

This study presents the development of high-performance radiation curable acrylate coatings reinforced with functionalized carbon nanotubes (F-CNTs) synthesized from waste plastic bottles by chemical vapor deposition method for antimicrobial applications. Epoxy and polyurethane acrylate resins (Ebecryl 600 and Ebecryl 210) were formulated with varying F-CNT loadings (0.05–0.70 wt%) and subjected to different ultraviolet (UV) curing exposure by varying UV exposure. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis confirmed successful photopolymerization through the reduction of acrylate functional groups and formation of a crosslinked network. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated enhanced thermal stability and increased char residue at higher F-CNT concentrations (0.70 wt%), attributed to the barrier effect of nanotubes with the expense of crosslinking density due to the shading effect of F-CNTs. Antimicrobial study using E. coli revealed a significant reduction in bacterial viability, achieving near-complete inhibition within 24 h of exposure. The results highlight that optimal F-CNT dispersion is critical, as potential excessive loading can hinder curing efficiency due to agglomeration. Overall, this work demonstrates a sustainable and effective strategy for developing multifunctional coatings with enhanced durability and antimicrobial performance for healthcare and industrial applications