Fabrication of Sustainable Superhydrophobic Antibacterial Natural Textiles

Natural textiles are promising for wearable, hygiene, and reusable protective applications because of their breathability, softness, flexibility, and renewability. However, their hydrophilic cellulose surfaces readily absorb water and contaminants, promoting fouling and bacterial growth. Many superhydrophobic and antibacterial treatments rely on particles, fluorinated compounds, or solvent-intensive processes, limiting durability and sustainability.

Here, we report a particle-free and fluorine-free strategy based on fatty-acid grafting and copper-ion impregnation. Inspired by the wax-coated fibrous structure of ramie leaves, the method preserves cotton’s hierarchical morphology while lowering surface energy through covalent esterification of cellulose hydroxyl groups with fatty acids. Copper ions are then incorporated into the fibers to provide antibacterial activity.

The textile exhibits a water contact angle of about 150° and contact angle hysteresis below 10°, while retaining softness, flexibility, breathability, and water vapor permeability. It also shows self-cleaning behavior and stable superhydrophobicity under mechanical and chemical stress. High water repellency is maintained for more than 28 laundering cycles, whereas a commercial waterproof spray loses hydrophobicity after 8 cycles. The Cu-functionalized textile achieves 99.9% antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The process is applicable to multiple cellulose-based textiles and causes negligible skin irritation after prolonged contact.

Compared with prior multifunctional cotton treatments, this strategy provides 2.7-fold higher sustainability and 5.6-fold greater reusability. These results demonstrate a scalable and environmentally responsible platform for durable, washable, and hygienic natural textiles for protective, medical, and wearable applications.