An antimicrobial is a substance that acts to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and suppresses microorganism reproduction. An antimicrobial coating contains an antimicrobial agent which inhibits or reduces the ability of bacteria, fungi & other microbes to grow. These coatings when applied on any surface, makes that surface antimicrobial. These are widely used in healthcare settings. Medical devices, linens & clothing can be easily sterilised with these coatings.
Apart from health sector, it can also be used in schools, industry even in the home. These coatings are also applicable where people congregate, such as buses, trains, cinemas, taxis, canteens and restaurants & where bacteria, fungi & viruses found a suitable environment to grow.
Hygienic conditions and sterile procedures are particularly important in hospitals, kitchens and sanitary facilities, air conditioning and ventilation systems, in food preparation and in the manufacture of packaging material. In these areas, bacteria and fungi compromise the health of both consumers and patients. Antimicrobial coatings having nanoparticles have a long-term effect that not only kill germs reliably but at the same time prevent germs from establishing. The coatings are particularly suitable for the application on large and solid surfaces, on door handles and for textiles.
Nowadays, nanomaterials like Silver nanoparticles, Titanium oxide & Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles are gaining lot of attention for their antimicrobial activity. They can kill all forms of transmissible agents like fungi, bacteria, viruses, spores that are present on a surface.
Silver, a naturally occurring element, is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, does not accumulate in the body to cause harm and is considered safe for the environment. It has inherent capabilities of killing or deactivating microbes. At nanoscale antimicrobial properties of silver have increases many fold.
Silver nanoparticles are incorporated in apparel, footwear, paints, wound dressings, appliances, cosmetics, and plastics for their antibacterial properties. Many manufactured goods like washing machines, air conditioners and refrigerators are using linings of silver nanoparticles for their antimicrobial qualities. Sportswear, toys and baby articles, food storage containers, HEPA filters, laundry detergent etc. are made with silver nanoparticles. The medical field also is using products with silver nanoparticles, such as heart valves & other implants, medical face masks, wound dressings and bandages.
A Nanopatterned surface can also be fabricated to prevent or kill microbes. Various smart functionalities can also be added in polymers during their manufacturing. Doing this can increase the efficiency of material & maintain its activity even when damaged. Smart materials like this can be developed with the help of nanotechnology. Antimicrobial coating which our industries are currently using has a keen need for other additional functions which can intensify their effectiveness and extend their antimicrobial properties. Such kind of smart antimicrobial can be made by combining them with self cleaning (Superhydrophobic or hydrophillic) and self-healing layers.
Apart from healthcare sector other sectors like clothing, electronics, transportation & construction are also adopting these smart antimicrobial materials.
Clothing and Textiles: Clothing and textiles are another good opportunity for smart antimicrobials, Particularly ones where antimicrobials can be combined with self-cleaning (e.g. super-hydrophobic) functions. Their goal here isn’t merely to remove bad microbes, but also to achieve a secondary effect, primarily odor elimination. Antimicrobial coatings based on silver nanoparticles & photocatalysis which are commonly used can be imbued with other smat functions such as self-cleaning to produce improved & smarter products.
Other than clothing smart antimicrobials can also be proved useful for carpets, curtains & other home furnishing products.
Consumer Products: For consumer-facing applications, smart antimicrobials can provide sanitation to different products from cutting boards to countertops. Smart antimicrobials also could be a part of consumer electronics to put coatings on devices.
Food supply chain: Like medical sector, smart antimicrobials have a great value in areas like food processing & water filtration. Smart antimicrobials may help not only with contamination but avoid volatile compounds used in conventional antimicrobial agents.
Construction: Smart antimicrobials have great opportunity in buildings, from HVAC to interior materials. They can efficiently kill pathogens & resolve mold issues. Smart antimicrobials can be used in inaccessible or hidden areas (Inside walls, attics,crawl spaces etc.) to target mold growth, where reapplication is often required but is not feasible.
Transportation: Smart antimicrobials have a great role to play in auto industry which has its own own broad trend to imbue improved functionality and aesthetics into surfaces. Vehicles, air planes, and marine vessels use smart antimicrobials to add comfort & cleanliness and to resolve health related issues in enclosed spaces.
Automotive interior surfaces like Seat fabrics can have an antimicrobial coating which not only kill germs but also have stain-resistant, self-healing & self-cleaning properties which may also prove cost-effective as well.
Reinste Nano Ventures is the Manufacturer, Importer, distributor, supplier of nanomaterials and superior Nano antimicrobial coatings for all kind of surfaces. It provides easy to apply, cost-effective transparent Nano coatings which can greatly help in reducing pathogen and mold related issues for both house hold and for industrial applications. It also provide purest industrial grade super ultra fine silver (Ag)powder, colloidal silver & silver paste.
Its range Germ Shield represents several invisible ready to use spray on nanocoating. These can be applied on almost any surface to protect against wide range of pathogens. It also creates a reliable nano shield on treated surface. Nanoparticles that are in the structure of this product not only kill microbes but also fill the scratches on the surface and make the surface smooth (not porous). The surface remains smooth for a long time and no dust, mud and other pollution cling to the surface as it could be with a scratched surface. Thus provide clean & hygienic surface.
Other properties of this coating are:
- Hydrophobic & hydrophilic (less spotting)
- Anti-static, less build-up of dust, dirt and air pollution
- Anti-stick properties
- High gloss & filling of micro scratches
- Smooth finish
- Easy to clean
- Extremely Durable
If you have any query about our products or you want to purchase any Nanomaterial, contact us.