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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

PRP as a New Approach to Prevent Infection: Preparation and In vitro Antimicrobial Properties of PRP
Published on: April 9, 2013
Antimicrobial surfaces with self-cleaning properties functionalized by photocatalytic ZnO electrosprayed coatings
Laura Valenzuela1, Ana Iglesias2, Marisol Faraldos2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, E-28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica, ICP-CSIC, Marie Curie 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Photoactive coatings of sol-gel ZnO suspensions were electrosprayed on glass substrates to produce self-cleaning antimicrobial functionalized surfaces. ZnO-functionalized materials exhibited a uniform external surface consisting of a pattern of microspheres with diameters in the 100-300 nm range. Electrospray allowed surface densities up to 0.30 mg cm-2 that displayed considerable hydrophilicity. Water contact angle decreased with UV irradiation to values below 10°. Two different UV doses were tested by adjusting the irradiation time to simulate Summer-Spring and Winter-Fall conditions. The functionalized coatings showed excellent photocatalytic properties towards the photodegradation of Methylene blue. The electrosprayed surfaces also displayed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with >99.5% reduction in the number of culturable cells. The biocidal activity is attributed to the photogenerated reactive oxygen species on the surface of ZnO coatings and the bioavailable zinc ions produced from ZnO dissolution. The photoactive coatings kept surfaces free from bacterial colonization and biofilm formation.
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