One-step anti-superbug finishing of cotton textiles with dopamine-menthol

In this work, the one-step stereochemical antimicrobial finishing of cotton textiles (CT) was achieved by the oxidative copolymerization of a dopamine-menthol derivative (DAM) and dopamine (DA). The obtained DAM-modified CT (P(DAM- co -DA)-CT) exhibited broad-spectrum microbial anti-adhesion properties against bacteria ( E. coli and P. aeruginosa ), including superbugs (MRSA and VREF), and fungi ( A. niger , A. flavus , M. racemosus and P. chrysogenum ). Because of its unique stereochemical antimicrobial mechanism, the obtained P(DAM- co -DA)-CT is a non-releasing antimicrobial material that causes no skin sensitization and exhibits good biocompatibility. The coating was also found to enhance the UV-resistant and mechanical properties of the CT. Furthermore, it displayed durable washing fastness and antimicrobial properties after the endurance of 30 laundering cycles. The observed achievements provide a broader understanding of stereochemical antimicrobial surfaces and endow this method with wider applications.