Inexpensive mineral copper materials with antibacterial surfaces

Inspired by the mining tradition of the Copper Country area in Michigan (USA) and the original objectives of Michigan Tech’s founders, a research program with the mission to explore and promote new materials and products containing copper has been developed. Both ionic and elemental copper have been proven to effectively inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi and molds. Use of inexpensive natural minerals carrying only small quantities of copper, but still possessing antimicrobial properties, would benefit market and cost of manufacturing of a variety of antimicrobial products. Natural copper-bearing minerals could serve as antimicrobial materials but they, unfortunately, occur rarely. Natural aluminosilicates, including clays and zeolites, can be either saturated with copper ions or loaded with copper nanoparticles. Such copper-containing aluminosilicates show strong activity against pathogenic bacteria. Embedded copper broadens and revalues the applications of these inexpensive minerals in plastics, paints, water purification and other products where antimicrobial properties are desirable.