Silver Protection

The development of antimicrobial fabrics and textiles capable of steadily suppressing a wide range of microorganisms is of great importance for protection against pathogens. However, their creation is a difficult task due to low stability, discoloration of the product, reduced breathability, the use of hazardous reagents and synthesis conditions, as well as complex and time-consuming processing.

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have found an economical and convenient way to apply an antimicrobial transparent coating based on silver to new or used textiles.

Silver is known for its antibacterial properties, but it is difficult to apply it to things and keep it after washing. The researchers used plant polyphenols, in particular tannic acid (TA), to bind silver (Ag) to tissues. The Ag/TA complex is completely transparent, so it does not change the color of textile fibers, in addition, it withstands repeated washing,

Textiles can either be washed with an Ag/TA mixture, or sprayed first with a silver compound and then with a polyphenolic binder. The obvious advantage of the method is that people can cover Ag/TA existing garments.

In experiments, the Ag/TA antimicrobial coating neutralized odor-causing bacteria, fungi and pathogenic microorganisms, including viruses. This means that it can be useful in operating rooms and other sterile rooms.

The binding capacity of TA is so strong that coated fabrics tested by researchers, such as cotton, polyester and silk, retained antimicrobial properties for at least 10 washings.

Article by J.J.Richardson et al. Rapid assembly of colorless antimicrobial and anti-odor coatings from polyphenols and silver is published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru according to the materials of the University of Tokyo: Anti-odor coating is no without.