Paint composed of zinc oxide nanoparticles: antimicrobial and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

In the daily lives of hospitals, food industries and highly hygienic environments, the fight against microorganisms is constant, with the aim of avoiding medical complications or contamination. Among the microorganisms most present and fought in these places are those on the ESKAPE list (Escherichia Coli, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Acinetobacter Baumannii, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Enterococcus Faecalis and Faecium). Therefore, this project proposes the development of an antimicrobial paint capable of carrying out this fight in a constant, standardized and effective way using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) in its composition. The objective is for its future use as a coating for areas that have high contact with harmful microorganisms and pathogens. ZnO-NPs are known for their photocatalytic ability, which induces antimicrobial activity. Advanced oxidative processes can occur in this material when irradiated by sunlight or artificial light. These oxidative processes, triggered by zinc oxide nanoparticles, can promote antimicrobial action in the coating. Thus, this project consists of synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP); verify the antimicrobial action and the effects of ZnO-NP on oxidative parameters under light irradiation to activate heterogeneous photocatalysis; incorporate ZnO-NP into the paint and check the antimicrobial effect with and without irradiation. Thus, it is expected to obtain a paint with antimicrobial activity through photocatalysis triggered by light irradiation. The application of this coating has some advantages when compared to the traditional asepsis method as it involves an antimicrobial action mediated by an energy source already present in the places intended for application.