Researchers at the University of Wollongong (UOW) led ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing have been investigating self-cleaning, anti-microbial organic coatings for painted sheet steel to prevent the build-up of mould, algae and other bacteria on coated steel products, particularly in humid environments.
Left unchecked, a build-up of troublesome organisms wreaks havoc on steel products, requiring more regular and costly cleaning and maintenance.
In the marine industry, for example, algal growth can stick to boat and ship hulls, resulting in decreased speed and manoeuvrability as well as increasing fuel consumption. In hospitals, bacterial contamination of surfaces such as countertops, surgical tools, and medical devices contributes to the spread of potentially deadly hospital-acquired infections.
Current solutions have been based on coatings that incorporate biocides, which release antimicrobial agents to kill target microorganisms. Yet, the effectiveness of biocides is dulled over time and eventually rendered ineffective. Many biocides are made with toxic chemical that can have detrimental environmental effects and are often limited in application by health, safety and environmental regulations.
Researchers at the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI), in collaboration with Steel Hub partner BlueScope, set about investigating a more effective and environmentally friendly coating solution.
Instead of directly targeting microorganisms, the researchers looked at developing a coating that prevented them attaching to a surface in the first place. They combined silica nanoparticles with chemical compounds called zwitterions, which are naturally hydrophilic, or able to bond to water.
Silica nanoparticles have already been added to paints for their abrasion resistance and flame-retardant properties, as well as being low cost and easily produced in large quantity. The zwitterions are able to bond to the nanoparticles, which in turn, are more readily attached to a surface to form a water layer or coating.
Read more: Non-stick coating runs afoul of the spores
Researchers at the University of Wollongong (UOW) led ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing have been investigating self-cleaning, anti-microbial organic coatings for painted sheet steel to prevent the build-up of mould, algae and other bacteria on coated steel products, particularly in humid environments.
Left unchecked, a build-up of troublesome organisms wreaks havoc on steel products, requiring more regular and costly cleaning and maintenance.
In the marine industry, for example, algal growth can stick to boat and ship hulls, resulting in decreased speed and manoeuvrability as well as increasing fuel consumption. In hospitals, bacterial contamination of surfaces such as countertops, surgical tools, and medical devices contributes to the spread of potentially deadly hospital-acquired infections.
Current solutions have been based on coatings that incorporate biocides, which release antimicrobial agents to kill target microorganisms. Yet, the effectiveness of biocides is dulled over time and eventually rendered ineffective. Many biocides are made with toxic chemical that can have detrimental environmental effects and are often limited in application by health, safety and environmental regulations.
Researchers at the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI), in collaboration with Steel Hub partner BlueScope, set about investigating a more effective and environmentally friendly coating solution.
Instead of directly targeting microorganisms, the researchers looked at developing a coating that prevented them attaching to a surface in the first place. They combined silica nanoparticles with chemical compounds called zwitterions, which are naturally hydrophilic, or able to bond to water.
Silica nanoparticles have already been added to paints for their abrasion resistance and flame-retardant properties, as well as being low cost and easily produced in large quantity. The zwitterions are able to bond to the nanoparticles, which in turn, are more readily attached to a surface to form a water layer or coating.
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