Preparation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of antibacterial sol–gel coated cotton textiles with prolonged release of curcumin

The aim of this study was to develop a textile-based sol–gel release system with antibacterial properties intended for medical applications. Curcumin (a herbal compound extracted from Curcuma longa L.) was embedded in an acid-catalyzed silica xerogel coating on cotton textiles. The release of curcumin was found to be diffusion-controlled, as expressed by the Higuchi and the first-order models. Matrix dissolution release was ruled out by the absence of dissolved silica in the release medium. Results from nitrogen sorption analysis confirmed the presence of mesopores in the xerogel coating, and an increase in both the BET surface area from 1.95 to 2.23 m ² g ⁻¹ and in the mesopore volume from 0.003 to 0.004 cm ³ g ⁻¹ after the sol–gel treatment. Thicker xerogel coatings therefore provided greater porosity for curcumin entrapment, leading to retardation of the diffusion processes and consequently extended release profiles. The treated samples showed better antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus (99% reduction) compared with Escherichia coli (37% reduction). Overall, the developed sol–gel coated textiles demonstrate promising potential for use as wound dressing materials.