Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of an indoor waterborne architectural coating containing Ag/TiO2 under different relative humidity environments

Silver nanoparticles synthesized on titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO2), an effective antibacterial additive, were added to a commercial paint and its antimicrobial activity was evaluated. Microbiological tests against Escherichia coli and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were performed under high relative humidity (RH>90%) and low (RH≈14%). A remarkable difference in cell recovery under high and low humidity was found.