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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Surface Functionalization of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Improved Moisture Resistance
Published on: September 5, 2018
Heterogeneous photoactive antimicrobial coatings based on a fluoroplastic doped with an octahedral molybdenum cluster
Natalya A Vorotnikova1, Vyacheslav A Bardin, Yuri A Vorotnikov
1Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SB RAS, 3 Acad. Lavrentieva, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia. vorotnikov@niic.nsc.ru.
Abstract:
Despite the wide variety of strategies developed to combat pathogenic microorganisms, the infectious diseases they cause remain a worldwide health issue. Hence, the search for new disinfectants, which prevent infection spread, constitutes an extremely urgent task. One of the most promising methods is the use of photoactive compounds - photosensitizers, capable of generating reactive oxygen species, in particular, singlet oxygen (O2(1Δg)), which causes rapid and effective death of microorganisms of all types. In this work, we propose the utilization of the powdered cluster complex (Bu4N)2[{Mo6I8}(OTs)6] as a photoactive additive to commercially available fluoroplastic lacquer F-32L to create heterogeneous self-sterilizing coatings. We show that soaking of the prepared films in water for 60 days did not lead to a decrease in their photosensitization properties indicating their excellent stability. Moreover, the use of the cluster complex in the solid state allowed significant expansion of the operating wavelength range, which covers the UV region and a large part of the visible region (250-650 nm). The films displayed high photoantimicrobial activity against five common pathogens (bacteria and fungi) under white-light irradiation. Overall, the properties demonstrated make these materials promising for practical use in everyday outdoor and indoor disinfection since they are active under both sunlight and artificial lighting.
Insights
New self-sterilizing coatings utilize a photoactive cluster complex to generate reactive oxygen species, effectively killing pathogens. These stable, broad-spectrum coatings offer promising disinfection under sunlight and artificial light.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photochemistry
- Antimicrobial Research
Background:
- Infectious diseases remain a global health challenge, necessitating novel strategies for pathogen control.
- Photosensitizers generating reactive oxygen species, like singlet oxygen, offer a promising approach for microbial inactivation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop stable, self-sterilizing coatings using a photoactive cluster complex as an additive in fluoroplastic lacquer.
- To evaluate the photoantimicrobial efficacy and stability of the developed coatings against common pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of the powdered cluster complex (Bu4N)2[{Mo6I8}(OTs)6] into fluoroplastic lacquer F-32L to create heterogeneous coatings.
- Assessment of coating stability through prolonged water soaking (60 days).
- Evaluation of photoantimicrobial activity against five common bacterial and fungal pathogens under white-light irradiation.
Main Results:
- The developed coatings demonstrated excellent stability, retaining photosensitization properties after 60 days of water immersion.
- The cluster complex enabled a broad operating wavelength range (250-650 nm), covering UV and visible light.
- High photoantimicrobial activity was observed against a panel of common pathogens.
Conclusions:
- The cluster complex-based coatings exhibit robust stability and broad-spectrum photoantimicrobial efficacy.
- These self-sterilizing materials are suitable for disinfection applications under both natural and artificial light conditions.
- The developed coatings represent a promising advancement in combating the spread of infectious diseases.
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