Overview

Microbial colonisation of surfaces forms a dangerous reservoir for pathogens contributing to the spread of infections which can cause significant cost to human life and the economy at large.

There is a tangible need for innovative antimicrobial coatings that are highly effective, safe, self-disinfecting and removing bacteria, fungi and viruses more cost-effectively than current non-biodegradable, toxic, and fossil fuel-based coatings in use. The new coatings will contribute to mitigating the spread of infections (including COVID-19) and creating a healthier and more resilient society, while ensuring consistent product efficiency and market-demanded sustainability. RELIANCE project aims to design and develop smart response self-disinfectant antimicrobial nanocoatings based on a new range of smart antimicrobial nanoparticles. These nanoparticles will consist of mesoporous silica nanoparticles with metallic copper in their structure, modified with biobased bioactive compounds: Antimicrobial peptides (AMP’s) based on protein containing waste streams, and essential oils (EOs) coming from non-edible plants. The antibacterial action of these additives will be adjusted to the specific application, according to the dosages and durability requirements. Two alternatives to incorporate the bioactive compounds will be considered:

• The incorporation of the biobased EO into the porous substrate, to allow a controlled release (T or pH) of the bioactive compounds to the environment,
• The attachment of the AMP to the nanoparticles surface, to allow a long-term action of the bioactive compound to the environment.

RELIANCE project combines contact killing and leachable antibacterial actions ascribed to the additive with the non-sticking action due to the coatings’ formulation, thus providing an integral holistic solution to antimicrobial problems on different surfaces. The nature of the coatings, their characteristics (hydrophobicity and surface roughness) and their application methods (direct deposition by cold-atmospheric plasma, high throughput spraying or selective digital printing) will be specifically designed to allow not only the microbial repelling action, but also the adhesion of the coatings to different substrates commonly found in our living environments, such as metals, plastics or textiles, and to maximize their durability (in terms of performance and antibacterial properties). RELIANCE will go beyond the present-day possibilities of conventional chemicals by considering sustainability and eco design criteria in the selection of the bioactive components, and in the development of the nanocoatings.