Silver-Containing Thin Films on Transparent Polymer Foils for Antimicrobial Applications
Source abstract
Abstract
The increasing occurrence of infections caused by pathogens found on objects of everyday use requires a variety of solutions for active disinfection. Using active materials that do not require daily maintenance has a potential advantage for their acceptance. In this contribution, transparent films, with silver as the main antimicrobial agent and a total thickness of a few tens of nm, were deposited on flexible self-adhesive polymer foils used as screen protectors. TiO2 and SiO2 were used as transparent matrix to embed the Ag nanoparticles, ensuring also their mechanical protection and controlled growth. HiPIMS (High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering) was used for the sputtering of the Ag target and fine control of the Ag amount in the layer, whereas TiO2 and SiO2 were sputtered in RF (Radio Frequency) mode. The thin film surface was investigated by AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy), providing information on the topography of the coatings and their preferential growth on the textured polymer foil. XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) revealed the presence of specific Ag peaks in an amorphous oxide matrix. UV-Vis-NIR (Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared) spectroscopy revealed the presence of nanostructured Ag, characterized by preferential absorption in the 400 to 500 nm spectral range. The antimicrobial properties were assessed using an antimicrobial test with the Escherichia coli strain. The highest efficiency was observed for the Ag/SiO2 combination, in the concentration range of 104–105 CFU/mL.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells · Antimicrobial agents and applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
National Institute for Research and Development in Optoelectronics INOE 2000, Strada Atomiștilor 409, 077125 Măgurele, Romania
Research Center for Physical Materials Science and Composite Materials, Research School of Chemistry & Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, Lenin’s Avenue 43, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
ATS Novus SRL, 030352 Bucharest, Romania
Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Brasov, B-dul Eroilor nr 29, 500036 Brașov, Romania
Funding
Unitatea Executiva Pentru Finantarea Invatamantului Superior a Cercetarii Dezvoltarii si Inovarii
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