Recent advances in metal-based antimicrobial coatings

Metal-based antimicrobial coatings have garnered significant attention due to their potential to mitigate microbial contamination across various industries. This systematic review examines the advancements in metal- and metal compound-based coatings from 2021 to 2023, synthesizing findings from 43 relevant studies. A key novelty of this review lies in the comparative analysis of the antimicrobial performance (R) of the materials and coatings studied in the publications selected for this review, complemented by insights from the top-ten patents and eight commercially available products. Silver-based antimicrobial coatings are still the most studied and commercially available, yet copper-based coatings exhibit the highest antimicrobial performance, clearly emerging as alternative material. These coatings are usually tested against bacteria (E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa), with fewer studies focusing on fungi and viruses. Although the molecular mechanisms of action remain insufficiently explored, available data suggests the involvement of multiple simultaneous pathways in microbial inactivation. Despite their practical potential, relatively few studies assess the effectiveness of these coatings under real-world conditions. This review aims to offer insights into the current state of metal-based antimicrobial coatings, identifying both technological advances and existing knowledge gaps, and emphasizing the need for further research to support their practical implementation.