Synthesis and Investigation of Antibacterial Activity of Thin Films Based on TiO2-Ag and SiO2-Ag with Potential Applications in Medical Environment

Abstract

Multiple antibiotic resistance has now become a major obstacle to the treatment of infectious diseases. In this context, the application of nanotechnology in medicine is a promising alternative for the prevention of infections with multidrug-resistant germs. The use of silver as a powerful antibacterial agent has attracted much interest. TiO2 and SiO2 thin films enhanced with Ag particles have been developed with the aim of maintaining the transparency of the polymer films. Antibacterial activity was evaluated for a Gram-negative species-Escherichia coli-in concentrations of 105 and 104 CFU/mL in different conditions-activation by UV irradiation, single layer and double layer. Increased antibacterial efficacy of TiO2-deposited foil was found for the tests that had been exposed to UV activation. In the case of bilayer tests, the efficiency was higher compared to those in a single layer, as the contact surface between the films and the bacterial suspension increased. Films can be used as a potential method to limit bacterial growth on hospital surfaces, such as telephone screens and medical equipment, given their optimized characteristics and proven antibacterial efficacy.

Nano-enabled antimicrobial thin films: design and mechanism of action

“…In this work, UV light exposure is reported to affect antibacterial efficacy of the thin lm, which UV light stimulated thin lm experienced enhanced antibacterial activity when compared with non-UV light treated lm. 1 Another prominent area of application for MO x -based nanostructures is in the development of antimicrobial membranes and surfaces for photocatalytic water disinfection systems. 66,67 We also have recently reviewed cellulose supported photocatalytic membranes where photoactive MO x nanomaterials are discussed.…”

“…Microbes have become a major concern in health care sectors, 1,2 water treatment, 3 food industries, 4,5 and textile industries. 6 Establishing an efficient means to control these pathogenic microbes, therefore, has become a primary challenge among the research community.…”

Design of Chopsticks-Shaped Heating Resistors for a Thermal Inkjet: Based on TaN Film

“…As shown in Figure 2 , we used the bare silicon as the base of the heating resistors, and its surface was covered with a layer of SiO 2 [ 22 ]. When an electric current was passed through the TaN film, since the Si was a semiconductor material, the current would flow to it, so SiO 2 was used as an insulating layer to prevent the current from flowing into the Si [ 23 ]. The TaN film, as a chemical material, is usually used to fabricate accurate heating resistors, as it can resist water vapor erosion, which is significant in inkjet printing.…”

Photon-driven bactericidal performance of surface-modified TiO2 nanofibers

“…13 Various bandgap engineering methods have been developed to extend the absorption of wide band gap metal oxides, including TiO 2 , to a visible spectral range. Following approaches can be distinguished to prepare the visible-light responsive TiO 2 : doping with light and heavy elements, 14,15 loading with fullerenes, 16 plasmonic 17 and semiconductor nanoparticles, 18 adsorption of dye molecules, 19 and the most recent one, the formation of interfacial charge transfer (ICT) complexes with colorless organic molecules. 20 In addition, since bacterial cell surfaces possess a net negative electrostatic charge due to ionized phosphoryl and carboxylate substituents on outer cell envelope macromolecules, 21 the efficient contact between bacteria and TiO 2 particles can be facilitated by attractive electrostatic interactions between them upon functionalization of TiO 2 .…”