The present invention mainly relates to a protective varnish hardenable by radiation comprising at least one compound hardenable by cationic or radical means and at least one metal selected from silver, copper, zinc and mixtures thereof, characterized in that said metal is in the zero oxidation state and in a supported particulate form.

A mixture M of natural origin comprising an usnic acid and/or a salt thereof, preferably an usnic acid sodium salt, in the racemic or dextrorotatory D(+) form and an inclusion compound including (i) a D-usnic acid as an enantiomer, or a salt thereof, or mixtures thereof, of natural origin, and (ii) beta-cyclodextrins and related methods of their use as antibacterial, antibacterial proliferative, bacteriostatic, microbicidal, anti-mould, anti-yeast, antifungal or antimycotic agent, are described.

A mixture M of natural origin comprising an usnic acid and/or a salt thereof, preferably an usnic acid sodium salt, in the racemic or dextrorotatory D(+) form and an inclusion compound including (i) a D-usnic acid as an enantiomer, or a salt thereof, or mixtures thereof, of natural origin, and (ii) beta-cyclodextrins and related methods of their use as antibacterial, antibacterial proliferative, bacteriostatic, microbicidal, anti-mould, anti-yeast, antifungal or antimycotic agent, are described.

The present invention provides agents having efficacy against viruses, allergens, bacteria and odorants, materials including such agents, and methods for producing the agents. An agent according to an embodiment of the present invention includes titanium dioxide particles having low photocatalytic activity, and metal ions of at least one metal selected from gold, silver, platinum and copper that are adsorbed to the surface of the titanium dioxide particles. The agent may further include hydroxyapatite particles, and the metal ions may be adsorbed also to the surface of the hydroxyapatite. The metal ions may be at least partially present in the form of at least one of an oxide of the metal, a hydroxide of the metal, and the elemental metal.

The present invention provides agents having efficacy against viruses, allergens, bacteria and odorants, materials including such agents, and methods for producing the agents. An agent according to an embodiment of the present invention includes titanium dioxide particles having low photocatalytic activity, and metal ions of at least one metal selected from gold, silver, platinum and copper that are adsorbed to the surface of the titanium dioxide particles. The agent may further include hydroxyapatite particles, and the metal ions may be adsorbed also to the surface of the hydroxyapatite. The metal ions may be at least partially present in the form of at least one of an oxide of the metal, a hydroxide of the metal, and the elemental metal.

A method of increasing water repellency of an organic porous substrate, such as wood, is provided. The method comprises applying a dispersion of inorganic nanoparticles in a liquid carrier onto a surface of the substrate. The liquid carrier is selected to evaporate substantially entirely at room temperature. For example, the liquid carrier may be selected so that at least 95% of the liquid carrier will evaporate at room temperature, preferably in a 24 hour period following application to the substrate surface.

A method of increasing water repellency of an organic porous substrate, such as wood, is provided. The method comprises applying a dispersion of inorganic nanoparticles in a liquid carrier onto a surface of the substrate. The liquid carrier is selected to evaporate substantially entirely at room temperature. For example, the liquid carrier may be selected so that at least 95% of the liquid carrier will evaporate at room temperature, preferably in a 24 hour period following application to the substrate surface.

The present invention relates to a biocidal coating composition for a surface, comprising overlapping flat lamellar metallic nanoparticles and/or microparticles having a diameter of less than 45 microns, in suspension in a binder comprising an epoxy resin, a thixotropic agent and a natural diluent selected from among water, preferably demineralized water, and/or ethylene glycol and/or denatured alcohol. Moreover, the invention also relates to a coating process comprising a step of applying said composition, and to the use of the coating composition according to the invention for coating a surface.

The present invention relates to a biocidal coating composition for a surface, comprising overlapping flat lamellar metallic nanoparticles and/or microparticles having a diameter of less than 45 microns, in suspension in a binder comprising an epoxy resin, a thixotropic agent and a natural diluent selected from among water, preferably demineralized water, and/or ethylene glycol and/or denatured alcohol. Moreover, the invention also relates to a coating process comprising a step of applying said composition, and to the use of the coating composition according to the invention for coating a surface.

An antimicrobial spray composition is disclosed, forming a protective film on surfaces when dried. The protective film provides antimicrobial protection by killing at least 95% of microorganisms in <30 minutes of exposure. The spray composition comprises a sulfonated polymer selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer has a degree of sulfonation of at least 10%