Smart Sensing Fabrics for Live Bacteria Detection

Abstract

A smart textile for live bacteria detection of antimicrobial hospital tissues is here proposed. The capacity to detect viable bacteria is based on the use of Prussian Blue (PB) as electrochromic compound, with a clear reversible change of colour from PB to Prussian White (PW) after reduction from a bacterial metabolism process. PB nanoparticles are incorporated to polyester cotton fabrics by ultrasonic deposition. After performing different tests with bacterial samples of E. coli and S. aureus, a full colour change of the textiles was observed. These smart textiles will allow to determine the self-life of the antibacterial compounds as well to improve the control of hospital infections.

Keywords

• smart textiles
• live bacteria detection
• Prussian Blue
• electrochromic compounds