Easy-cleaning surfaces functionalized with an interface-binding recombinant lipase

Surface fabrication is an effective method for functional materials development. This work investigated the use of cellulose-binding domain (CBD) fused detergent lipase for fabrication of easy-cleaning surfaces. As a result, the CBD conjugated Lipase-A (LipA-CBD) demonstrated a multi-layer self-assemble on cotton fabric surface and enhanced hydrophobicity as detected by both scanning electron microscope and water contact angle measurement. Compared to the normal cotton surfaces, such self-assembly bioactive surfaces afforded effective easy-cleaning functionality against both water and lipids based stains with the most significant stain removing ratio as examined through the simulated laundering test. Additionally, this surface assembled LipA-CBD presented good thermal stability with 15 days of half-life detected for 70°C and over 60 days for room temperature. Although there is a gradual decrease in sun irradiation stability and laundering durability, the functionality could be quickly recovered by re-applying the LipA-CBD as the self-assembly coating in the rinsing process. These results presented a green, simple and timesaving method to develop new easy-cleaning cotton fabrics via interfacial self-assembly of biomacromolecules.