A self-cleaning surface based on UV-activatable, AgCl micropumps for bacterial killing and removal.

We report a self-cleaning, bacterial killing surface by immobilization of AgCl microparticles on a surface, acting as chemical micropumps. The surface shows a high bacterial killing efficacy of attached bacteria and exhibits sustainable removal of bacteria as a result of UV-activatable micropumping originating from the photocatalytic reaction of AgCl microparticles. Our work provides an advance in the sustainable use of bacterial contact-killing surfaces stricto sensu through removal of dead bacteria and debris that may shield contact-killing sites.