2022-12-01 |
The global SARS-CoV2 pandemic is causing an immense additional demand for antiviral surfaces in almost all situations of everyday life. In the future, there will be an increased demand for solutions to reduce the risk of infection, especially in public spaces. This is associated with a huge market for innovative coating concepts. Potential applications such as handrails, handholds, door handles or sanitary facilities require the use of durable materials with the longest possible antiviral effectiveness. In this context, anodised aluminium materials with their meso- and macroporous surfaces represent an interesting substrate material for modification with virucidal or bactericidal nanoparticles.
The aim of the newly launched research project in the Electrolytic Corrosion Team is thus to utilise the inherent pore structure of the anodically oxidised aluminium substrate by introducing antiviral metal nanoparticles as well as photocatalysts into the open pore structure. The technical challenge in the development of such a functional surface is to design the anodised layer system in such a way that the incorporation of the particles succeeds without affecting the essential properties of the anodised layer (especially the corrosion protection).
This is to be realised within the framework of the research project "Development of antiviral anodised surfaces" (IGF 22658 N), which is being carried out in cooperation with the fem Research Institute for Precious Metals and Metal Chemistry, Schwäbisch-Gmünd, using a multilayer anodised system. The subsequent functionalisation of the anodised layer is to be carried out by electrophoretic intercalation of the nanoparticles.
The development of an antiviral anodised surface would benefit a market that is traditionally strongly characterised by small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of decorative surface finishing and corrosion protection. To minimise the financial burden on SMEs in implementing the project results, the process should be integrable into existing anodising lines.
Picture: © DECHEMA Research Institute (DFI)
