Copper coatings on poly(lactic acid) via rapid magnetron sputtering: Morphology, chemistry, and antimicrobial performance against bacteria and SARS-CoV-2

Materials with antimicrobial properties are highly desirable for making food packaging and personal protective equipment due to their intrinsic ability to prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms and food contamination. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable polymer that presents interesting mechanical properties for such applications. However, this polymer does not show intrinsic antimicrobial activity. Herein, we applied Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering (RF-MS) to produce antimicrobial copper coatings on the PLA surface. The results indicate that the prolongation in the copper deposition time causes an increase in surface roughness. The PLA coating with copper using a short deposition time (5-20 s) was sufficient to guarantee a bactericidal effect against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, in addition to conferring antiviral activity against Omicron Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution x-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopic studies indicate that occurs only localized degradation on the PLA surface via polymer chain scission. The RF-MS technique was suitable for rapidly manufacturing antimicrobial Cu-coated PLA and providing low copper consumption in the antimicrobial coating process.