Silver Nitrate and Bioactive Glass Containing Chitosan Coatings: Comparison of Antimicrobial and Antiviral Properties

Hadzhieva Z, Feyles E, Akhtar MA, Donalisio M, Porporato D, Lembo D, Coto B, Alves S, Areitioaurtena O, Gentile S, Boccaccini AR (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 18

Pages Range: 13290-13304

Journal Issue: 8

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6c00215

Abstract

Pathogenic air and water contaminations present major health issues nowadays. Filter-based protective devices have been commonly utilized to capture airborne or waterborne microorganisms and viruses in order to reduce or inhibit the transmission of infectious diseases. Some approaches to extend the functionality of filtering devices and to further enhance their capability to inactive pathogens include the application of antimicrobial coatings on the filter surface. In this regard, the current work aims to develop innovative coatings with antiviral and antibacterial properties composed of a chitosan matrix incorporating bioactive glass (BG) nanoparticles or silver nitrate (AgNO3) on metallic filters by using electrophoretic deposition. The so-produced chitosan/BG- and chitosan/AgNO3-coated filters were characterized in terms of their morphology, chemical composition, filtering capability, antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, and antiviral activity against coronavirus OC43, rhinovirus, adenovirus, and influenza virus. The results confirmed that chitosan/AgNO3 and chitosan/BG coatings exhibited no blockage of the filter pores. The bubble point values for both coating types were similar to the measurements of uncoated filters, suggesting intact filtration capability after the application of the coatings. The antibacterial assay showed the antibacterial activity of >99% for both chitosan/AgNO3 and chitosan/BG coatings against S. aureus. Finally, chitosan/AgNO3-coated filters showed antiviral activity against three out of the four tested viruses (HCoV-OC43, HRV-A1, and IFV-AH3N2) and exerted a partial antiviral action against AdV-5. On the other hand, chitosan/BG-coated filters were active against all tested respiratory viruses. The outcomes of this study evidenced that the developed multimaterial coatings could serve as a suitable platform to produce antimicrobial filtering systems for a broad-spectrum application.

Authors with CRIS profile

Zoya Hadzhieva Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Biomaterialien) Muhammad Asim Akhtar Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Biomaterialien) Aldo Boccaccini Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Biomaterialien)

Involved external institutions

University of Turin / Università degli Studi di Torino (UNITO) IT Italy (IT) Fundacion Tekniker ES Spain (ES) G.V. Filtri Industriali S.R.L. IT Italy (IT)

How to cite

APA:

Hadzhieva, Z., Feyles, E., Akhtar, M.A., Donalisio, M., Porporato, D., Lembo, D.,... Boccaccini, A.R. (2026). Silver Nitrate and Bioactive Glass Containing Chitosan Coatings: Comparison of Antimicrobial and Antiviral Properties. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 18(8), 13290-13304. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.6c00215

MLA:

Hadzhieva, Zoya, et al. "Silver Nitrate and Bioactive Glass Containing Chitosan Coatings: Comparison of Antimicrobial and Antiviral Properties." ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 18.8 (2026): 13290-13304.

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