6 – Anti-Bacteriological Effect of Nanoscaled Inorganic Particles in Coating Matrices

Physical and chemical biocide methods are, in part, highly effective against most of the natural bacteria, fungi, or spores. But these methods create new disadvantages like temporary effectiveness, development of agent resistance, destruction of material, and causing harm to human cells. Then there is the promising group of heavy metal ions, which are mostly very poisonous to humans. But there are some metals like copper and silver, which show the tremendous effectiveness, causing almost no harm to the human body. The biocide particles and coatings based on silver-coated TiO 2 nanoparticles show an excellent anti-bacteriological effect on the growth kinetics. This can be achieved in very complex and simple culture media as well as in coatings. It opens up a wide variety of possible applications starting from the conservation in the food sector, conservation of paints and varnishes as well as grease, lubricating oils, and others. In the sector of coating technology, it can be applied on all surfaces for the bacteriological protection of door and escalator grips, medical devices, air-conditioning systems, sanitary surfaces, and heat exchangers. Compared to already commercially available anti-bacteriological systems, these biocide particles may have the same effect but supply the customer with an inexhaustible solution, due to the indestructibility of the used ceramic material.