ClO₂-Loaded Aerogels with Biocide Effect.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Aerogels possess unique porous structures suitable for hosting active agents.
• Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is a potent biocide with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
• Understanding the interaction mechanism between disinfectants and porous materials is crucial for developing effective delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the interaction mechanism between chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and various aerogel surfaces (silica, titania, zirconia).
• To synthesize and characterize ClO2-loaded aerogels for disinfectant applications.
• To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of the developed ClO2-loaded aerogels.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of silica, titania, and zirconia aerogels using N2 sorption, XRD, SEM, and XPS.
• Investigation of ClO2 sorption/desorption kinetics at varying temperatures.
• Theoretical calculations of ClO2 interaction with aerogel surfaces.
• Assessment of biocide efficiency against different bacterial strains.

Main Results:

• The mechanism of ClO2 interaction with aerogel surfaces was described for the first time.
• Characterization confirmed the successful synthesis of composite aerogels.
• Kinetics studies and theoretical calculations provided insights into the interaction mechanism.
• ClO2-loaded aerogels exhibited efficient microorganism extermination against tested bacteria.

Conclusions:

• A novel mechanism for chlorine dioxide interaction with aerogel surfaces has been established.
• The synthesized ClO2-loaded aerogels show significant potential as effective disinfectants.
• This system offers promising applications in various fields requiring microbial control.