Evaluation of graphene as an antimicrobial additive in surface coatings

石墨烯作为表面涂层抗菌添加剂的评价

• 批准号: 80342
• 金额: $ 4.78万
• 依托单位: TALGA TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Small Business Research Initiative
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2020 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=80342
• 关键词: Evaluation; graphene; antimicrobial; additive; surface

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives of one and all. As countries, industries and general public begin to enter a phase of recovery, perhaps the most relevant lesson is in the ever-increasing role of material surfaces in virus transmission. One of the most accepted mechanisms of the virus transmission is through surfaces of various materials that humans are exposed in everyday life. While it is imperative to find solutions that inhibit the spread of Covid-19, the current pandemic has opened up a wider discussion and need on antimicrobial surfaces that inhibit fungi, bacteria and viruses from growing on surfaces. Nano-sized materials, such as titanium dioxide, silver, copper and more recently graphene and carbon nanotubes, have been widely studied to provide evidence of their antimicrobial properties. Use of metal additives in coatings has often been a cause of concern with respect to environmental sustainability. For example in marine industry, additives like tin and copper for antimicrobial/anti fouling coatings have face stiff opposition from environmental legislation. This has led to a preference for organic additives. Studies have shown that graphene's sharp edges disrupt the cellular membrane, its high electron mobility can extract electrons from the molecules thereby oxidising/poisoning microbes while its lubricating nature could help create a low friction surface reducing the tendency of microbes to adhere. In this feasibility study, Talga aims to explore the antimicrobial properties of coatings containing graphene. The program addresses value addition and efficient use of natural resources, in line with the government's clean growth strategy.

持续的COVID-19疫情扰乱了所有人的生活。随着国家、行业和公众开始进入复苏阶段，最相关的教训可能是材料表面在病毒传播中的作用日益增加。病毒传播的最普遍接受的机制之一是通过人类在日常生活中接触的各种材料的表面。尽管找到抑制COVID-19传播的解决方案势在必行，但当前的大流行引发了对抑制真菌、细菌和病毒在表面生长的抗菌表面的更广泛讨论和需求。纳米尺寸的材料，例如二氧化钛、银、铜以及最近的石墨烯和碳纳米管，已经被广泛研究以提供它们的抗微生物特性的证据。在涂料中使用金属添加剂往往是环境可持续性方面的一个问题。例如，在海洋工业中，用于抗微生物/防污涂层的添加剂如锡和铜面临环境立法的强烈反对。这导致了对有机添加剂的偏好。研究表明，石墨烯的锋利边缘会破坏细胞膜，其高电子迁移率可以从分子中提取电子，从而氧化/毒害微生物，而其润滑性质可以帮助创建低摩擦表面，减少微生物粘附的趋势。在这项可行性研究中，Talga旨在探索含有石墨烯的涂层的抗菌性能。该计划旨在实现增值和有效利用自然资源，符合政府的清洁增长战略。