Colloidal silver as innovative multifunctional pigment
A new study aims to assess the effect of two different colloidal silver amounts on the durability and biocidal activity of a water-borne wood paint.
The influence of this multifunctional pigment on the aesthetical features of the coatings was evaluated by colorimetric measurements and optical microscopy observations. The durability of the samples was investigated by means of different accelerated degradation tests, such as the exposure in a climatic chamber and to UV-B radiations. Scanning electron microscope observations, infrared spectroscopy analysis and colorimetric inspections were carried out to highlight the residual influence of silver in altering the protective behavior of the paint.
Excellent antibacterial activity
The Ag-containing samples exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, while colloidal silver did not introduce effective fungicidal performances against Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor fungi. Ultimately, this work demonstrates how colloidal silver can be used as a functional pigment in wood paint, capable of modifying the appearance of the coating, improving its antibacterial performance, without negatively affecting its protective performance.
The study has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 175, February 2023.
