Nanoparticle-based nanocomposite coatings with post-processing for enhanced antimicrobial capacity of polymeric film.

Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on surfaces pose a significant risk of microbial contamination and chronic diseases, leading to potential health complications. To mitigate this concern, the implementation of antibacterial coatings becomes paramount in reducing pathogen propagation on contaminated surfaces. To address this requirement, our study focuses on developing cost-effective and sustainable methods using polymer composite coatings. Copper and titanium dioxide nanoparticles were used to assess their active antimicrobial functions. After coating the surface with nanoparticles, four different combinations of two post-processing treatments were performed. Intense pulsed light was utilized to sinter the coatings further, and plasma etching was applied to manipulate the physical properties of the nanocomposite-coated sheet surface. Bacterial viability was comparatively analyzed at four different time points (0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes) upon contact with the nanocomposite coatings. The samples with nanoparticle coatings and post-processing treatments showed an above-average 84.82% mortality rate at 30 minutes and an average of 89.77% mortality rate at 120 minutes of contact. In contrast, the control sample, without nanoparticle coatings and post-processing treatments, showed a 95% microbe viability after 120 minutes of contact. Through this study, we gained critical insights into effective strategies for preventing the spread of microorganisms on high-touch surfaces, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable antimicrobial coatings. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.