Superhydrophobic antimicrobial mask via π-alkyl anchoring of hydrophobic Pillar[5]arene and hypericin

The photosensitizer hypericin (Hyp) and the newly synthesized superhydrophobic nitrate-ester-group-capped Pillar[5]arenes (PNO) were employed to fabricate a sunlight-activated photodynamic antimicrobial mask by π-π and π-alkyl interaction via a simple co-spraying strategy. The superhydrophobic PNO layer effectively repels bacterial adhesion, while hypericin generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) under sunlight irradiation. This endows the as-prepared mask with excellent physical anti-adhesion barrier and efficient photodynamic inactivation against bacteria.