Weathering and Antimicrobial Properties of Laminate and Powder Coatings Containing Silver Phosphate Glass Used as High-Touch Surfaces

Eva Blomberg, Gunilla Herting, Gunaratna Kuttuva Rajarao, Tuomas Mehtiö, Mikko Uusinoka, Merja Ahonen, Riika Mäkinen, Tiina Mäkitalo and Inger Odnevall
Additional contact information
Eva Blomberg: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry, Division of Surface and Corrosion Science, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
Gunilla Herting: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry, Division of Surface and Corrosion Science, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
Gunaratna Kuttuva Rajarao: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Biotechnology and Health, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Tuomas Mehtiö: Isku Interior Oy, Mukkulankatu 19, PL 240, FI-15101 Lahti, Finland
Mikko Uusinoka: Teknos Oy, Perämatkuntie 12, Rajamäki, FI-05200 Nurmijärvi, Finland
Merja Ahonen: Research Center WANDER, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, FI-26101 Rauma, Finland
Riika Mäkinen: Research Center WANDER, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, FI-26101 Rauma, Finland
Tiina Mäkitalo: Research Centre RoboAI, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, FI-28101 Pori, Finland
Inger Odnevall: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry, Division of Surface and Corrosion Science, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: Increasing the use of hygienic high-touch surfaces with antimicrobial properties in health care and public spaces is one way to hinder the spread of bacteria and infections. This study investigates the antimicrobial efficacy and surface reactivity of commercial laminate and powder coated surfaces treated with silver-doped phosphate glass as antimicrobial additive towards two model bacterial strains, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis , in relation to surface weathering and repeated cleaning. High-touch conditions in indoor environments were simulated by different extents of pre-weathering (repeated daily cycles in relative humidity at constant temperature) and simplified fingerprint contact by depositing small droplets of artificial sweat. The results elucidate that the antimicrobial efficacy was highly bacteria dependent (Gram-positive or Gram-negative), not hampered by differences in surface weathering but influenced by the amount of silver-doped additive. No detectable amounts of silver were observed at the top surfaces, though silver was released into artificial sweat in concentrations a thousand times lower than regulatory threshold values stipulated for materials and polymers in food contact. Surface cleaning with an oxidizing chemical agent was more efficient in killing bacteria compared with an agent composed of biologically degradable constituents. Cleaning with the oxidizing agent resulted further in increased wettability and presence of residues on the surfaces, effects that were beneficial from an antimicrobial efficacy perspective.

Keywords: antimicrobial surfaces; silver; indoor hygiene; laminate; powder coating (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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