Antimicrobial sol-gel coatings

The preparation and the releasing behavior of modified silica coatings, containing embedded biocides on textiles, were compared and assessed with regard to application parameters like antimicrobial efficacy, wash-out and long-term behavior. For this, silica layers with embedded silver, silver salts and biocidal quaternary ammonium salts (cetyltrimethylammoniumbromid and octenidine) were investigated. Both the growth of fungi and bacteria can be inhibited by coatings with embedded biocides. Especially by using octenidine, an excellent long-term inhibition of fungi growth can be reached.