1.7 Self-Stimulating Antimicrobial Photocatalytic Coatings
(Room 243-245)
09 Apr 18
5:30 PM
-
6:00 PM
Tracks:
Session 1: Science Today - Coatings Tomorrow
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is commercially used as a white pigment in a wide variety of products including paper, paints, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and in foods; it is also used as a UV absorbing agent in cosmetics. In these applications, TiO2 is considered to be inert under visible light conditions, since it reflects the entire visible spectrum. In this study, we have developed TiO2 coatings on which the bacteria sensitizes TiO2 coating particles and activates its own photocatalytic decomposition under visible light. For example, we have shown that a bacterial contaminant, such as Staphylococcus aureus—a MRSA surrogate, causes its own death under visible light when it comes in contact with the TiO2 coating. When tested on indoor surfaces, such a coating was found to reduce the incidence of infections over a period of six months. Antimicrobial, photocatalytic TiO2 coatings have the potential of providing a green alternative to conventional chemical disinfectants.