Degradable PLA/PBAT/ZnO@SiO2 composite film with micro/nanostructures for breathable, antibacterial, and thermally regulated medical protection

Surface micro/nanostructures and interconnected interfacial micropores are fabricated via micro-extrusion roll forming, achieving a water vapor transmission rate of 203.47 g m −2 h −1 . It balances high breathability, moisture permeability, waterproofing and antifouling performance, solving the stuffiness problem of conventional medical films. • Synergistic action of ZnO@SiO 2 nanoparticles and micro/nanostructures delivers an antibacterial rate of 97.69% against Escherichia coli. By regulating radiative properties, it enables passive cooling with a surface temperature approximately 10 °C lower than commercial fabrics. • With PLA/PBAT as the biodegradable matrix, the film can be completely degraded through enzymatic, composting and alkaline pathways. It eliminates white pollution and secondary contamination risks of traditional medical protective films at the material source. Medical protective films are crucial for public health, yet traditional materials often compromise wearer comfort and pose significant environmental challenges due to their non-degradable nature. Herein, a biodegradable and multifunctional composite film is fabricated via micro-extrusion roll forming, composed of a polylactic acid (PLA)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) matrix featuring surface and interface micro/nanostructures. The surface micro/nanostructures and interconnected microporous interface endow the medical protective film with a water vapor transmission rate of 203.47 g m −2 h −1 , ensuring excellent breathability and wearing comfort. The synergistic effect of uniformly dispersed ZnO@SiO 2 nanoparticles and the surface micro/nanostructures achieves an antibacterial rate of 97.69% and effectively inhibits contaminant adhesion. Furthermore, the micro/nano structures and micropores are engineered to manipulate radiative properties, resulting in a passive cooling effect with a surface temperature approximately 10 °C lower than that of commercial fabrics. Crucially, addressing the critical issue of plastic pollution, the film exhibits excellent biodegradability through enzymatic, composting, and alkaline pathways, offering a sustainable solution that mitigates the secondary environmental pollution caused by conventional medical films. This work provides a feasible strategy for the scalable production of next-generation medical protective materials that seamlessly integrate wearable comfort, high performance, and environmental sustainability. Download: Download high-res image (328KB) Download: Download full-size image