Antimicrobial Ceramic Filters for Water Bio-Decontamination

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Olga Ferreira (Author) Other; Patrícia Rijo (Author) Other; João Gomes (Author) Other; Ricardo Santos (Author) Other; Sílvia Monteiro (Author) Other; Rita Guedes (Author) Other; Maria Luísa Serralheiro (Author) Other; Marisa Gomes (Author) Other; Luciana Gomes (Author) FEUP; Filipe J. Mergulhão (Author) FEUP; Elisabete R. Silva (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Coatings

Vol. 11

Pages: 1-323

ISSN: 2079-6412

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 7 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-K7Q

DOI: 10.3390/coatings11030323

Abstract (EN): Bio-contamination of water through biofouling, which involves the natural colonization of submerged surfaces by waterborne organisms, is a global socio-economic concern, allied to premature materials bio-corrosion and high human health risks. Most effective strategies release toxic and persistent disinfectant compounds into the aquatic medium, causing environmental problems and leading to more stringent legislation regarding their use. To minimize these side effects, a newly non-biocide-release coating strategy suitable for several polymeric matrices, namely polydimethylsiloxane and polyurethane (PU)-based coatings, was used to generate antimicrobial ceramic filters for water bio-decontamination. The best results, in terms of antimicrobial activity and biocide release, showed an expressed delay and a decrease of up to 66% in the population of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on ceramic filters coated with polyurethane (PU)-based coatings containing grafted Econea biocide, and no evidence of biocide release after being submerged for 45 days in water. Biocidal PU-based surfaces were also less prone to Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation under flow conditions with an average reduction of 60% after 48 h compared to a pristine PU-based surface. Biocidal coated filters show to be a potential eco-friendly alternative for minimizing the environmental risks associated with biofouling formation in water-based industrial systems.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17