German researchers have developed an antimicrobial abrasion-resistant coatings with both silver and copper colloids with a long-term effect that kill germs reliably and at the same time prevent germs becoming established, according to a report in Science Daily.
The nature of the coating makes it especially well suited for use on large and solid surfaces, including door handles for textiles. The new coating is aimed at hospitals, food preparation areas, and other facilities that can benefit from antimicrobial surfaces.
Silver and copper are the key
Silver or copper colloids which gradually release germicidal metal ions into the environment are incorporated in the coating. Carsten Becker-Willinger, Head of the Nanomers Program Division at the Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM) where coating was developed, explained in a press release: "The metal colloids are only a few nanometers in size, but their particular ratio of size to surface area produces a distinctive long-term effect. The 'consumption' of metals to metal ions is then so low that the coating can be effective for several years," says the chemist. The long-term effect will also be increased by the high abrasion resistance.
The researchers were able to prove the double microbicidal and biofilm-inhibiting action using the standardized ASTM E2 180 test process. The new material can be applied to a variety of substrates such as plastic, ceramic or metal using conventional techniques such as spraying or dipping, and cures thermally or photochemically. Selective variation of the individual components allows the developers to react to the particular and different needs of potential users.
The researchers' findings will be presented this week at the International Nanotechnology Exhibition and Conference Nano Tech 2015 in Tokyo.
For more, see the press release from the INM.