Antimicrobial/antiviral protection on the nano-level

Surfaces and objects contaminated with bacteria can cause illness. The COVID 19 pandemic has shown the importance of improving surface cleaning and hand hygiene to reduce infections. Viruses and bacteria are found on many surfaces, including cell phones, elevator buttons (which harbor 22% more bacteria than toilet seats), light switches, door handles, textiles, and other high-traffic items in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and daycare centers, kitchens, and restrooms. For the textiles, plastic and metal surfaces used there, the development of sustainable antimicrobial and antiviral nanoactive coatings can significantly reduce the risk of pathogen contamination and infection. In the EU project SUSAAN, IVW is developing (hybrid) nanocapsules (NC) containing different antimicrobial/antiviral (AN/AV) active materials such as essential oils and metal oxides.

By encapsulating the active ingredients in polymer capsules, they can be protected from degradation and their activity can be prolonged. The chemically functionalized and partially cross-linked biogenic polymer of the capsule increases the encapsulation efficiency and release profile of the contained substances. The binding to the coating polymer and substrate surfaces, as well as the stability and storability are also improved. NCs are synthesized using "green chemistry" methods and principles. The manufacturing process, the type of particle modification and the formulation of the AM/AV components are tailored with respect to functionality, coating material and substrate.

With the aim of using the functional coatings in products, the project partners are cooperating along the entire process chain from fundamental chemical research to the finished component.