Evaluation of graphene as an antimicrobial additive in surface coatings

正在进行的新冠肺炎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复苏阶段，或许最相关的教训是材料表面在病毒传播中的作用越来越大。最被接受的病毒传播机制之一是通过人类在日常生活中暴露的各种材料的表面。虽然找到抑制新冠肺炎传播的解决方案是当务之急，但当前的疫情引发了更广泛的讨论，需要研发能够抑制真菌、细菌和病毒在表面生长的抗菌表面。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常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/防污涂料的锡和铜等添加剂面临着环境立法的强烈反对。这导致了人们对有机添加剂的偏好。研究表明，石墨烯的锋利边缘破坏了细胞膜，它的高电子迁移率可以从分子中提取电子，从而氧化/毒化微生物，而它的润滑性质可以帮助创造一个低摩擦的表面，减少微生物的粘连倾向。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。该计划致力于增值和高效利用自然资源，与政府的清洁增长战略保持一致。

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.