Eco-friendly fabrication of photothermal, UV-resistant, and anti-oxidative coating on cotton fabric by enzymatic polymerization

To our knowledge, the protective coating on textiles has attracted tremendous interest since the outbreak of COVID-19, prompting significant advancements in protective textiles. Herein, the laccase-platinum nanozyme (Lac-Pt) was selected for the first time to catalyze the self-polymerization of epicatechin, in which the epicatechin polymer (PEC) was coated on cotton fabric by in-situ deposition, labeled as CF@PEC. The PEC coating on cotton fabric was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Moreover, the self-polymerization mechanism of EC was demonstrated by UV-visible spectra, hydrogen proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and FTIR. The laccase and platinum nanozyme exhibited the synergies during catalyzing the oxidation of EC. CF@PEC exhibits good photothermal effect (photothermal temperature of 60.3°C), UV protection ability (UPF of 95.6), and antioxidant properties (94.4 ± 0.3%). In addition, CF@PEC can maintain UV protection ability after undergoing 20 washing cycles. Notably, the Lac-Pt used to create the multifunctional coating not only preserves the strength of the cotton fabric, but also reduces wastewater production. Briefly, this work renders a promising strategy to prepare the protective coating, which may open a sustainable and efficient avenue to room-temperature thermal therapy and can provide heat to the body in cold environments.