Described herein are various methods and manufacturing methods for making antimicrobial and strengthened, antimicrobial glass articles and substrates. The methods described herein generally include contacting the article with a KNO.sub.3-containing molten salt bath set at about 380 C to about 460 C for about 30 minutes to about 24 hours to form a compressive stress layer that extends inward from a surface of the glass substrate to a first depth; and contacting the article comprising the compressive stress layer with a AgNO.sub.3-containing molten salt bath set at about 300 C. to about 400 C. for about 5 minutes to about 18 hours to form an antimicrobial region that extends inward from the surface of the glass substrate to a second depth. The methods also include poisoning at least the AgNO.sub.3-containing molten salt bath and, in some cases, the KNO.sub.3-containing molten salt bath. Poisoning components include Na.sup.+ and Li.sup.+ ions.

Described herein are various antimicrobial glass articles that have improved resistance to discoloration when exposed to harsh conditions. The improved antimicrobial glass articles described herein generally include a glass substrate that has a low concentration of nonbridging oxygen atoms, a compressive stress layer and an antimicrobial silver-containing region that each extend inward from a surface of the glass substrate to a specific depth, such that the glass article experiences little-to-no discoloration when exposed to harsh conditions. Methods of making and using the glass articles are also described.

An antimicrobial article that includes: an antimicrobial composite region that includes a matrix comprising a polymeric material, and a first plurality of particles within the matrix. The particles include a phase-separable glass with a copper-containing antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial composite region can be a film containing the first plurality of particles that is subsequently laminated to a bulk element. The first plurality of particles can also be pressed into the film or a bulk element to define an antimicrobial composite region. An exposed surface portion of the antimicrobial composite region can exhibit at least a log 2 reduction in a concentration of at least one of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria under a Modified EPA Copper Test Protocol.

The disclosure is directed to a chemically strengthened glass having antimicrobial properties and to a method of making such glass. In particular, the disclosure is directed to a chemically strengthened glass with antimicrobial properties and with a low surface energy coating on the glass that does not interfere with the antimicrobial properties of the glass. The antimicrobial has an Ag ion concentration on the surface in the range of greater than zero to 0.047 g/cm.sup.2. The glass has particular applications as antimicrobial shelving, table tops and other applications in hospitals, laboratories and other institutions handling biological substances, where color in the glass is not a consideration.

A coating composition may include a glass frit including Phosphorus Oxide (P.sub.2O.sub.5), Silicon Oxide (SiO.sub.2), Boron Oxide (B.sub.2O.sub.3), a group I-based metal oxide, Barium Oxide (BaO), Sodium Fluoride (NaF), Titanium Oxide (TiO2), Stannous Oxide (SnO), Zinc Oxide (ZnO), and an adhesion enhancement component. The P.sub.2O.sub.5 may be included by about 40 wt % to about 55 wt % based on a total weight of the glass frit. The SiO.sub.2 may be included by about 5 wt % to about 15 wt % based on the total weight of the glass frit. The B.sub.2O.sub.3 may be included by about 5 wt % to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the glass frit. The group I-based metal oxide may be included by about 3 wt % to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the glass frit. The ZnO may be included by about 10 wt % to about 25 wt % based on the total weight of the glass frit, and the TiO.sub.2 may be included by about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the glass frit.

A dental treatment material includes: a liquid dispersion of a glass powder; and an inorganic phosphoric acid aqueous solution, wherein the glass powder contains zinc, silicon, and fluorine and does not substantially contain aluminum.

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and quaternary ammonium. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to coated articles including noble metal (e.g., Ag) and polymeric hydrogenated diamond like carbon (DLC) (e.g., a-C:H, a-C:H:O) composite material having antibacterial and photocatalytic properties, and/or methods of making the same. A glass substrate supports a buffer layer, a matrix comprising the noble metal and DLC, a proton-conducting layer that may comprising zirconium oxide in certain example embodiments, and a layer comprising titanium oxide. The layer comprising titanium oxide may be photocatalytic and optionally may further include carbon and/or nitrogen. The proton-conducting layer may facilitate the creation of electron-hole pairs and, in turn, promote the antibacterial properties of the coated article. The morphology of the layer comprising titanium oxide and/or channels formed therein may enable Ag ions produced from matrix to migrate therethrough.

A cost-effective and practical antimicrobial glaze system and glazing process is disclosed herein. The antimicrobial glaze/enamel may comprise at least two layers: a base layer and a top layer. The base layer may contain a typical or normal glaze widely used in sanitary ware, having a low level of zinc oxide. The base layer glaze may be directly sprayed on the clay body surface. A thin top glaze layer is sprayed on top of the base glaze layer and the top layer may contain a high level of zinc oxide.

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and quaternary ammonium. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.