Chapter 7 - Nanoengineering-based approaches for antimicrobial materials and coatings

Abstract

Unprecedented advancement in the field of nanoengineering and nanotechnology has evolved a new class of nanoantimicrobials. Growing microbial resistance against persisting antibiotics, drugs, and chemicals poses a serious threat to modern engineering and medical system. An antimicrobial coating with nanomaterials as the key ingredient is a relatively new concept to tackle the resistant microbial variants. Such antimicrobial coatings offer potential to alter the interfacial characteristics of surface, thereby reducing/inhibiting microbial accumulation and hence biofilm formation on biomedical and industrial materials. The antimicrobial coatings have been categorized into four distinct classes, that is, repellant, contact, release, and stimuli–responsive, based on their mechanism of action. Nanomaterials based on metals, respective metal oxides, and polymers (natural and synthetic) have manifested enhanced antimicrobial activity over the years. Antimicrobial coatings based on such nanomaterials are expected to provide broad spectrum of protection, avoid microbial resistance and could be applied to various substrates for imparting long-term sustainability with low toxicity. The present chapter aims to highlight recent advancements in the domain of nanotechnology-based antimicrobial coatings along with providing a commercial perspective.