Antibacterial hydroxyethyl cellulose composite coatings: Structural and controlled release properties with relevance to energetic systems

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) is a multifunctional polymer whose reticular structure and water retention capacity give it a great advantage in medical materials. Beyond biomedical applications, HEC-based coatings share fundamental features with polymeric binders and matrices used in energetic materials, where material stability play a crucial role in performance optimization. In this study, a three-layer composite coating containing hydroxyethyl cellulose, polycaprolactone (PCL), norfloxacin (NFX), and curcumin (CUR) was prepared using low-power electron-beam technology. The molecular structure, chemical composition, and morphology of the film samples were investigated by FTIR, XPS, and SEM. The results show that the materials used have excellent film-forming ability, and the composite layer has a uniform surface with a thickness of up to micrometers. The contact angle test confirmed the film's good hydrophilicity. The release kinetics of norfloxacin (NFX) from the composite layer into the aqueous environment was studied, showing sustained release for over 21 days. This was attributed to the loading of HEC and the fact that the upper layer of the CUR film acted as a sealing layer which helped to achieve a slow release of the drug. The researchers characterized the coatings and observed that the coatings exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains tested, with better antibacterial efficacy against E. coli. The sustained release behavior observed in the composite coatings is analogous to the controlled decomposition and energy release mechanisms in energetic binder systems, where polymeric networks regulate the release of active components. In conclusion, the composite coatings prepared using the low-power electron beam deposition technique not only demonstrate superior antibacterial performance but also highlight potential interdisciplinary applications in the design of polymeric matrices for energetic material formulations.