Novel Durable Antimicrobial Ceramic with Embedded Copper Sub-Microparticles for a Steady-State Release of Copper Ions.

Jaroslaw Drelich,Adam Drelich,Robert Donofrio,Jessie Miller

doi:10.3390/ma10070775

Abstract

Using pottery clay, porous ceramic stones were molded and then decorated with copper sub-microparticles inside the pores. Copper added antimicrobial functionality to the clay-based ceramic and showed ability in disinfecting water. Populations of both Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae in contaminated water were reduced by >99.9% in 3 h when exposed to an antimicrobial stone. This antimicrobial performance is attributed to a slow release of copper into water at both room and elevated temperatures. Copper is leached by water to produce ion concentrations in water at a level of 0.05–0.20 ppm after 24 to 72 h immersion tests. This concentration is reproducible over a number of cycles >400. To our knowledge, this is the first formulation of copper sub-microparticles inside the porous structure of commercial-sized ceramic stones that can disinfect bacteria-contaminated water over a period of at least several months.

Highlights

IntroductionDeaths from acute respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, measles, AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis accounted for more than 85% of the mortality from infection worldwide [1]
The spread of diseases is a serious problem for the growing human population
Antimicrobial ceramics were formulated through a three-stage process that included firing of clay-based porous ceramic, saturation of ceramic with copper ions, and conversion of copper ions into copper sub-microparticles (Figure 1a)

Summary

Introduction

Deaths from acute respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, measles, AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis accounted for more than 85% of the mortality from infection worldwide [1]. Added to this is the significant global burden of resistant hospital-acquired infections, the emerging problems of antiviral resistance, and the increasing development of drug resistance in the neglected parasitic diseases of poor and marginalized populations [2]. Only a small fraction of the human population uses antibacterial products due to cost, limited access, or ignorance, and antibacterial sprays, soaps, and tissues cannot solve this ever-growing health problem. New antibacterial products promote the development of resistant bacteria

Methods

Results

Conclusion