Antimicrobial additives for architectural paints and impregnates

The antimicrobial properties of silver and copper are well-established, especially when metals are applied in the form of nanoparticles (NPs). Silver and copper NPs or colloids agglomeration can result in the decrease of their antimicrobial and antifungi properties.The problem of NPs stability was solved by the development of silica nanospheres containing immobilized silver or copper NPs. These nanospheres can be applied as the effective antibacterial or antifungi additives for architectural paints and impregnates. The most important advantage of these additives lies in the stability of silver and copper NPs as well as in the harmlessness to human beings.The properties of silica nanospheres containing immobilized silver or copper NPs were tested by using SEM, EDS, AAS, and photon correlation spectroscopy. The antimicrobial properties of these nanospheres were investigated using Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus as well as Aspergillus niger, Paecilomyces varioti, Penicillium funiculosum, Chaetomium globosum in comparison with the pure silica nanospheres. The result of antimicrobial tests of silicone acrylic architectural paint and impregnates containing these additives are also presented and discussed.