Evaluation of graphene as an antimicrobial additive in surface coatings

持续的COVID-19大流行扰乱了所有人的生活。随着国家、行业和公众开始进入恢复阶段，最相关的教训可能是材料表面在病毒传播中日益重要的作用。最被接受的病毒传播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。虽然必须找到抑制Covid-19传播的解决方案，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。纳米材料，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，以提供其抗菌性能的证据。在涂料中使用金属添加剂经常引起人们对环境可持续性的关注。例如，在海洋工业中，用于抗菌/防污涂层的锡和铜等添加剂面临着环境立法的强烈反对。这导致人们偏爱有机添加剂。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，而其润滑特性可以帮助创造一个低摩擦表面，减少微生物粘附的倾向。在这项可行性研究中，Talga旨在探索含石墨烯涂层的抗菌性能。根据政府的清洁增长战略，该计划致力于增值和有效利用自然资源。

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.