Copper-coated nanofibrous materials are desirable for catalysis, electrochemistry, sensing, and biomedical use. The preparation of copper or copper-coated nanofibers can be pretty challenging, requiring many chemical steps that we eliminated in our robust approach, where for the first time, Cu was deposited by magnetron sputtering onto temperature-sensitive polymer nanofibers. For the first time, the large-scale modeling of PCL films irradiation by molecular dynamics simulation was performed and allowed to predict the ions penetration depth and tune the deposition conditions. The Cu-coated polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers were thoroughly characterized and tested as antibacterial agents for various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Fast release of Cu2+ ions (concentration up to 3.4 µg/mL) led to significant suppression of E. coli and S. aureus colonies but was insufficient against S. typhimurium and Ps. aeruginosa. The effect of Cu layer oxidation upon contact with liquid media was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealing that, after two hours, 55% of Cu atoms are in form of CuO or Cu(OH)2. The Cu-coated nanofibers will be great candidates for wound dressings thanks to an interesting synergistic effect: on the one hand, the rapid release of copper ions kills bacteria, while on the other hand, it stimulates the regeneration with the activation of immune cells. Indeed, copper ions are necessary for the bacteriostatic action of cells of the immune system. The reactive CO2/C2H4 plasma polymers deposited onto PCL-Cu nanofibers can be applied to grafting of viable proteins, peptides, or drugs, and it further explores the versatility of developed nanofibers for biomedical applications use.

Central European Institute of Technology CEITEC BUT Purkyňova 123 61200 Brno Czech Republic

Department Condensed Matter Physics Faculty of Science Masaryk University Kotlářská 2 61137 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Computer Engineering and Automated Systems Software Katanov Khakas State University Pr Lenin 90 655017 Abakan Russia

Laboratory of Acoustic Microscopy Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics RAS Kosygina 4 119334 Moscow Russia

Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials National University of Science and Technology MISiS Leninsky Prospekt 4 119071 Moscow Russia

Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SB RAS 3 Acad Lavrentiev Ave 630090 Novosibirsk Russia

Research Institute of Applied Ecology Dagestan State University Dahadaeva 21 367000 Makhachkala Russia

Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology Branch of the ICG SB RAS 2 Timakova St 630060 Novosibirsk Russia

Research Institute of Virology The Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine 2 Timakova St 630060 Novosibirsk Russia

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