Assessment of waterborne coatings formulated with sol-gel/Ag related to fungal growth resistance

ARRECHE, ROMINA; BELLOTTI, NATALIA; DEYÁ, CECILIA; VÁZQUEZ, PATRICIA

PROPRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS

ELSEVIER

Año: 2017 vol. 108 p. 36 - 43

0300-9440

Fungal growth in damp surfaces of water-damaged buildings is an increasing problem around the world, whichhas adverse effects on both people´s health and buildings. By bio-deterioration, fungi can growth in indoorenvironments and generate materials losses in addition to health problems. Therefore, antifungal coatings mustbe developed to avoid these problems. Silica is used as supporting additive in coatings, such as the waterbornepaints and, on the other hand, the addition of Ag nanoparticles into different materials is being widely studiedfor its effective antimicrobial properties.The aim of this work was to evaluate the bio-resistance to fungal growth on waterborne coatings containingsiliceous additives, by accelerated four-week agar plate assay. The additives were synthesized by the sol-gelmethod and characterized by potentiometric titration and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition,the paints were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at the end of the test. To carry out the bioresistanceassay, Chaetomium globosum and Alternaria alternata fungi were used. After 4 weeks of assay, paintsprepared with the silver-additives were the most efficient inhibiting the growth of both fungi. These paints, aftertheir exposure for 6 months, in an internal environment with sunlight incidence, kept the antifungal activityagainst Chaetomium globosum and showed a higher activity against Alternaria alternata.