Antimicrobial and biofilm-disrupting nanostructured TiO₂ coating demonstrating photoactivity and dark activity

Antimicrobial materials are tools used to reduce the transmission of infectious microorganisms. Photo-illuminated titania (TiO₂) is a known antimicrobial material. Used as a coating on door handles and similar surfaces, it may reduce viability and colonization by pathogens and limit their spread. We tested the survival of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on a nano-structured TiO₂-based thin film, called 'NsARC', and on stainless steel under a variety of light wavelengths and intensities. There was significantly less survival (P <0.001) of all the organisms tested on NsARC compared to inert uncoated stainless steel under all conditions. NsARC was active in the dark and possible mechanisms for this are suggested. NsARC inhibited biofilm formation as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. These results suggest that NsARC can be used as a self-cleaning and self-sterilizing antimicrobial surface coating for the prevention and reduction in the spread of potentially infectious microbes.