Biocides Containing Metal Atoms

NanoScale Materials sells a nanometre scale magnesium oxide that is said to have antimicrobial activity, and Nanophase Technologies Corp. is marketing copper oxide nanoparticles. Kobe Steel is licensing technology for electroplating plastic substrates with nickel-based antibacterial 

Certain tin compounds can be effective. They have received adverse publicity in the context of marine antifouling coatings, and tributyl tin has been banned in ships and boats by the International Maritime Organisation, to the decision is not thought to have adverse impUcations for plastics because the context is different. 

The Japanese company Sinanen markets a zeolite called Zeomic that has been used in medical devices, refrigerators and polyurethane foam. Zeolites are also widely used in antibacterial films in Japan, whereas Technion of Israel has said it will use herbal extracts from basil instead. Another Japanese company, Toa Gohsei, has introduced a biocide called Novaron, with a zirconium phosphate base, used in plastic film, coatings, fibres and other products. Both these products have obtained US FDA and EPA safety certification. Milliken Chemical offers a zirconium phosphate-based ceramic ion-exchange polymer, AlphaSan . 

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