“Anchor-Capture-Nucleation” In Situ Growth of Stable ZnO on Cotton Textile Initiated Self-Powered Electrically Stimulated Rapid Sterilization

Electrical stimulation is expected to achieve rapid sterilization and endow cotton textile (CT) with excellent antibacterial and antiviral properties. Here, the anchor-capture-nucleation in situ growth strategy was proposed to achieve stable deposition of a ZnO thin layer on CT for endowing the textile with rapid sterilization through self-power supply based on piezoelectric response. Due to the substantial loadings and prominent piezoelectric response of ZnO, the modified textile (ZZnO/CT) exhibits prominent antibacterial and antiviral properties within 2 min (E. coli: 97.22%, S. aureus: 93.01%, bacteriophage MS2: 98.46%). The cell membrane respiration was interfered with by electrical stimulation based on a piezoelectric response, causing intracellular ROS to accumulate and cell membranes to hyperpolarize. Moreover, the ideal platform for constructing prenucleation clusters to achieve thin layer deposition of ZnO was provided by the stable coordination between Zn2+ ions and hydroxyl groups (−OH) on CT, resulting in excellent durability of ZZnO/CT. More importantly, the introduction of ZnO could not affect the mechanical strength, air permeability, and moisture permeability of the CT. The modified textile is expected to achieve superior antibacterial and antiviral properties within a short time and has broad prospects in high-risk and hospital environments.