Copper-containing glass ceramic with high antimicrobial efficacy
Timothy M Gross1, Joydeep Lahiri2, Avantika Golas3
1Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY, 14831, USA. grosstm@corning.com.
Nature Communications
|May 2, 2019
Summary
A novel copper-glass ceramic powder offers potent antimicrobial properties, effectively reducing bacteria like superbugs on surfaces. This innovation aims to provide copper
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose significant global health risks.
- Copper exhibits strong antimicrobial activity against pathogens, including superbugs and the ESKAPE group.
- Limitations of metallic copper, such as cost and appearance, hinder widespread application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a material that retains copper's antimicrobial efficacy while overcoming its application limitations.
- To create an additive for antimicrobial surfaces based on controlled copper ion release.
Main Methods:
- A novel copper-glass ceramic powder was synthesized.
- The powder's mechanism was investigated, focusing on the in situ formation of cuprite nanocrystals and copper (I) ion release.
- Latex paints incorporating the copper-glass ceramic powder were tested for antimicrobial efficacy using the US EPA standard method.
Main Results:
- The copper-glass ceramic powder functions by controlled release of copper (I) ions from cuprite nanocrystals.
- Latex paints containing the powder achieved ≥99.9% reduction in colony counts for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella aerogenes, and Escherichia coli.
- The antimicrobial efficacy of the paints approached that of benchmark metallic copper.
Conclusions:
- Copper-glass ceramic powder is an effective additive for creating antimicrobial surfaces.
- This material offers a promising solution for combating HAIs and antibiotic resistance.
- The developed additive maintains high antimicrobial performance while addressing practical application challenges.
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