Long lasting antibacterial effect on contact surfaces, e.g. textiles
Because it is thought that products that are often used around us have the most opportunities to come into contact, there is a risk of the spread of bacteria, etc. through contact. For example, if the antibacterial effect can be continuously applied when bacteria adhere to the surface of the fiber, it is considered that the risk of infection can be sufficiently reduced even if the number of bacteria before multiplication is small and the effect is not necessarily immediate. Most antibacterial agents or fungicides are usually made by organic synthesis, and it is said that they account for about 60% of the world's use. Since the effect is transient, immediate effect is required. Therefore, it is often accompanied by the problem of burden on the environment and the problem of toxicity. Contrary to conventional thinking, we are aiming for a non-eluting system that is environmentally friendly, even if it is not immediate, and that kills bacteria when the number of bacteria is low before they proliferate as long as it has continuity.
We made a prototype of a fiber that continues to show the 99.99% antibacterial effect required by the FDA, even after 300 washes on the fiber, and an example of the results is shown below.
The continued antibacterial effect means that active species are hardly eluted, which means that it is safe and has very little impact on the environment. In addition, since the effect on the fiber can be utilized on the contact surface of other materials, it is of great significance as a countermeasure against infectious diseases.
