Highly transparent flexible CuI film for antibacterial applications

Abstract

In this study, the CuI film was firstly revealed to have significant antibacterial activity. The as-prepared CuI thin films on flexible plastic (polyvinylchloride, PVC) substrates were developed by the liquid iodination method. This method is simple, low-cost and environmentally friendly to fabricate flexible CuI films. A suitable reaction time between the Cu3N precursor and aqueous iodine solution is the key parameter for developing highly transparent CuI films, and an average transmittance in visible spectrum was higher than 85%. In addition, the CuI films have prominent antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. These properties indicate that CuI films are promising for built-in application to top layer displays in public places, such as hotel and department stores, ticket machines and touch screens in smart devices.