In one aspect, the disclosure relates to antimicrobial films for use on high-touch surfaces in medical, commercial, and residential settings and methods of making the same. The films and coatings are robust and retain activity over time and are optimized to minimize diffusion time of virus particles as well as bacterial and fungal pathogens to the inactivating layers and/or particles in the films and coatings. In another aspect, the films and coatings are capable of inactivating multiple virus, bacteria, and fungi types, can be applied as sprayable coatings or adhesive backed films, or can be incorporated into fabrics. In still another aspect, the films and coatings can be formulated as transparent or can be a neutral color such as gray or white.

Provided are a coating material and a coating method capable of making an antibacterial effect and an antiviral effect of a superficial layer of a coating target compatible for a long period of time. The coating material contains a coating agent in which inorganic polysilazane and an alkyl silicate condensate are dissolved in an inert solvent at a total concentration of 50 to 80 mass%, as a base agent, an inorganic antibacterial agent added to the base agent at a ratio of 0.1 to 5 mass%, and an inorganic antiviral agent added to the base agent at a ratio of 0.1 to 20 mass%.

Provided are a coating material and a coating method capable of making an antibacterial effect and an antiviral effect of a superficial layer of a coating target compatible for a long period of time. The coating material contains a coating agent in which inorganic polysilazane and an alkyl silicate condensate are dissolved in an inert solvent at a total concentration of 50 to 80 mass%, as a base agent, an inorganic antibacterial agent added to the base agent at a ratio of 0.1 to 5 mass%, and an inorganic antiviral agent added to the base agent at a ratio of 0.1 to 20 mass%.

Methods of synthesizing Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles in the form of spheres as well as properties of these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles are described. Methods of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants employing these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles and methods of preventing or reducing microbial growth on a surface by applying these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles in the form of a solution or an antimicrobial product onto the surface are also specified.

Methods of synthesizing Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles in the form of spheres as well as properties of these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles are described. Methods of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants employing these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles and methods of preventing or reducing microbial growth on a surface by applying these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles in the form of a solution or an antimicrobial product onto the surface are also specified.

Methods of synthesizing Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles in the form of spheres as well as properties of these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles are described. Methods of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants employing these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles and methods of preventing or reducing microbial growth on a surface by applying these Bi.sub.2S.sub.3—CdS particles in the form of a solution or an antimicrobial product onto the surface are also specified.

Disclosed is a method for synthesizing an antimicrobial base. The method comprises treating a Silver salt in a reaction mixture. The method further comprises adding one or more reactants to the reaction mixture in a pre-defined ratio. Further, the method comprises heating the reaction mixture at a first temperature between 45° C. to 90° C. for a first period of 5 to 8 hours. Furthermore, the method comprises stabilizing the conversion by adding a ligand and a stabilizing agent. Subsequently, the method comprises digesting the reaction mixture at a second temperature between 45° C. to 65° C. for a period of 2 to 4 hours to form an end product. Finally, the method comprises filtering the reaction mixture. The sub-micron particle forms a dispersion containing the colloidal silver particles (Ag.sup.0), thereby forming the antimicrobial base.

Disclosed is a method for synthesizing an antimicrobial base. The method comprises treating a Silver salt in a reaction mixture. The method further comprises adding one or more reactants to the reaction mixture in a pre-defined ratio. Further, the method comprises heating the reaction mixture at a first temperature between 45° C. to 90° C. for a first period of 5 to 8 hours. Furthermore, the method comprises stabilizing the conversion by adding a ligand and a stabilizing agent. Subsequently, the method comprises digesting the reaction mixture at a second temperature between 45° C. to 65° C. for a period of 2 to 4 hours to form an end product. Finally, the method comprises filtering the reaction mixture. The sub-micron particle forms a dispersion containing the colloidal silver particles (Ag.sup.0), thereby forming the antimicrobial base.

Metal nanoparticle agglomerates may aid in promoting infection control over an extended period of time when adhered to a touch or contact surface of personal protective equipment, such as gloves or garments. Gloves may comprise a body having one or more touch surfaces when worn, and metal nanoparticle agglomerates adhered to a material defining the one or more touch surfaces. The gloves may further comprise an identifying tag associated with the material. The identifying tag may be electronically identifiable, which may track, for example, how long the gloves have been in use, whether the gloves have been worn, conditions under which the gloves have been worn, and/or locations where the gloves have been worn. Other personal protective equipment and garments may similarly comprise metal nanoparticle agglomerates adhered to at least a portion of a material shaped for wear, optionally including an identifying tag associated with the material.

Metal nanoparticle agglomerates may aid in promoting infection control over an extended period of time when adhered to a touch or contact surface of personal protective equipment, such as gloves or garments. Gloves may comprise a body having one or more touch surfaces when worn, and metal nanoparticle agglomerates adhered to a material defining the one or more touch surfaces. The gloves may further comprise an identifying tag associated with the material. The identifying tag may be electronically identifiable, which may track, for example, how long the gloves have been in use, whether the gloves have been worn, conditions under which the gloves have been worn, and/or locations where the gloves have been worn. Other personal protective equipment and garments may similarly comprise metal nanoparticle agglomerates adhered to at least a portion of a material shaped for wear, optionally including an identifying tag associated with the material.