Innovation in antibacterial coatings for industrial use

A review of antimicrobial-coating classes, mechanistic pathways, material systems (including nanostructures and photocatalysts), and representative industrial deployment contexts.

The review consolidates how AMCs achieve microbial growth suppression via release-based, contact-active, and anti-adhesion strategies, while emphasizing that validation, durability, and safety constraints govern real-world utility.

Mechanism‑based classification

Metals, nanostructures, photocatalysis

Testing, durability, and safety limits

Context and objective

The article situates AMCs as surface-engineered systems intended to reduce microbial colonization and associated contamination risks in environments with high contact frequency or persistent moisture. It notes that industrial interest spans healthcare-adjacent spaces and broader public infrastructure. The review’s objective is to summarize AMC classes, underlying mechanisms, representative material choices, and application contexts, while acknowledging that performance claims require appropriate testing protocols and durability assessment.

Classification by mode of action

AMCs are presented as classifiable by how antimicrobial function is delivered at the interface: (i) coatings that release an active substance into the local environment, (ii) coatings with active agents immobilized or anchored to the surface that act upon contact, and (iii) anti-adhesion or “repelling” surfaces that reduce microbial attachment through surface chemistry or engineered topography. The article emphasizes that microbial adhesion is mediated by surface roughness, wettability (hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity), and interfacial interactions, implying that antimicrobial performance is partly governed by physical surface design in addition to biocidal chemistry.

Release‑based AMCs

Mode Active substance released from the surface

Typical realization (as described) Impregnation/soaking/coating porous substrates with active compounds

Primary consideration Sustained release vs depletion; environmental exposure dependence

Core function: Produces antimicrobial action via local delivery of active species.

Contact‑active (immobilized) AMCs

Mode Active substance covalently/strongly anchored to surface

Mechanistic intent Direct membrane disruption or contact-mediated inactivation

Primary consideration Surface availability, fouling, and long-term retention of activity

Core function: Reduces microbial viability through contact at the solid–microbe interface.

Anti‑adhesion / repelling surfaces

Mode Reduce attachment rather than chemically killing

Levers highlighted Surface topography; hydrophilic/hydrophobic patterning; surface chemistry

Primary consideration Roughness can promote colonization by increasing effective adhesion sites

Core function: Suppresses colonization by limiting adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation.

Structured polymeric interfaces (brushes, dendrimers)

Systems noted Polymer brushes (including functionalized variants); dendrimers

Mechanistic intent Engineered interfaces enabling antimicrobial function and/or reduced adhesion

Primary consideration Stability of the engineered layer under service exposure

Core function Provides tunable interfacial chemistry and morphology to modulate microbial interactions.

Metal-based systems and nanostructures

The review lists multiple material families used in AMCs, highlighting metal-based agents such as silver and copper and noting that nanoscale forms are frequently used to increase interfacial activity. Metal systems are framed as operating through ion-mediated interactions and membrane/biomolecule disruption, with the further implication that moisture and exposure conditions can influence release kinetics and hence antimicrobial persistence.

Functionalized and photocatalytic approaches

Beyond conventional biocidal additives, the article emphasizes functionalized systems (e.g., graphene-based composites) and photocatalytic materials (TiO₂) as routes that combine antimicrobial performance with additional surface functionalities. For photocatalytic TiO₂, the review highlights light-activated behavior and associated changes in wetting properties (notably toward high wettability), which are discussed in connection with self-cleaning and anti-fog tendencies on coated surfaces.

Silver-based systems (including nanoparticles)

Size regime noted Silver nanoparticles reported in the ~1–10 nm range; size-dependent effects described

Mechanistic framing Ion release and interaction with microbial structures; inhibition of growth processes

Exposure dependence Moisture conditions can modulate release and persistence

Core function: Enables bactericidal action through silver-mediated interfacial processes.

Copper and copper-alloy systems

Materials noted Copper, bronzes, copper–nickel and related systems

Mechanistic framing Ion-mediated toxicity and disruption of microorganisms

Constraint implied Balance between efficacy and material compatibility/safety

Core function: Provides antimicrobial action via copper-mediated biocidal interactions.

Graphene-based antimicrobial composites

Material concept Graphene as a component within composites, including polymer- and nanoparticle-containing systems

Property framing Potential synergy among components; altered mechanical/chemical/optical properties

Functional intent Antimicrobial action coupled with enhanced coating performance attributes

Core function: Supplies a multifunctional platform for antimicrobial and materials-property co-optimization.

TiO₂ photocatalysis and wetting transition

Mechanistic framing Photocatalytic activity under irradiation

Surface effect noted Irradiation-linked increase in wettability; described movement toward highly wetting behavior

Application framing Self-cleaning and anti-fog contexts mentioned

Core function Uses light-activated surface chemistry to support antimicrobial/self-cleaning behavior.

Cross‑cutting technical constraints, validation, and scope limits

The review notes that diverse commercial and industrial claims exist, but emphasizes that inadequate or inconsistent testing protocols can undermine comparability and accuracy. Standardized methods are therefore treated as necessary to substantiate antimicrobial performance across coating types and use contexts.

Testing protocols and claim verification

For release-based systems, antimicrobial efficacy is implicitly coupled to the retention of actives and their release kinetics under real exposure conditions. Longevity therefore depends on environmental drivers (e.g., moisture) and formulation strategies that prevent rapid depletion.

Durability and leaching/retention of active agents

Anti-adhesion performance is framed as dependent on engineered topography and surface chemistry. Roughness and hydrophilic/hydrophobic patterning can increase or reduce colonization propensity, and thus must be considered alongside biocide selection.

Surface topography and wettability as independent performance drivers

Antifouling is described as a domain with strong efficacy pressures but also significant environmental constraints, with historical biocide approaches motivating scrutiny and alternative strategies such as low-surface-energy “foul-release” systems.