Metal-Organic Framework-Based Antimicrobial Touch Surfaces to Prevent Cross-Contamination

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Infectious Disease Control
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Infection diseases pose a significant global health threat, particularly nosocomial infections.
• Antimicrobial coatings are a key strategy to prevent pathogen transmission and control infections.
• Developing effective antimicrobial surfaces is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create novel antimicrobial door handle covers using iodine-loaded MOF microparticles.
• To assess the efficacy of these covers in preventing cross-contamination in realistic conditions.
• To determine the long-term antimicrobial performance and potential applications of the developed covers.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of iodine-loaded UiO-66 microparticles into a polyurethane polymer (Baycusan eco E 1000).
• Testing antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi under realistic touching conditions.
• Evaluating cover effectiveness after multiple contamination cycles, cleaning, and tinting.
• Analyzing iodine release kinetics to predict antimicrobial lifetime.

Main Results:

• The door handle covers completely inhibited the transmission of tested bacterial and fungal species.
• Effectiveness was maintained after repeated contamination, cleaning, and with tinted versions.
• Iodine release followed hindered Fickian diffusion, projecting an antimicrobial lifetime of approximately two years.
• The integration of MOFs into polymer matrices proved effective for antimicrobial applications.

Conclusions:

• Antimicrobial door handle covers incorporating iodine-loaded MOFs show significant potential for preventing cross-contamination.
• This technology offers a durable and long-lasting solution for reducing pathogen transmission in high-touch environments.
• Integrating MOFs into innovative materials is a promising approach for developing advanced antimicrobial technologies.