In industrial settings, the graphene-silver coating has strong potential to improve hygiene, reduce contamination, and extend the lifespan of materials and equipment.
Researchers at the National Graphene Institute (NGI) at The University of Manchester (United Kingdom) have developed a novel antimicrobial coating that could revolutionise hygiene standards across healthcare, consumer, and industrial applications.
Silver has long been valued in wound care for its potent antibacterial properties, owing to its ability to release ions that disrupt bacterial cells. However, traditional silver-based treatments often suffer from rapid or uneven ion release, which can damage surrounding healthy tissue and limit their long-term effectiveness.
To address these challenges, the Manchester team, led by Professor Rahul R. Nair, has engineered a graphene oxide-based membrane capable of releasing silver ions in a controlled and sustained manner. The membrane’s structure features nanoscale channels that act as precision filters, regulating the ion release and thereby offering more consistent and longer-lasting antibacterial protection.
“By harnessing the potential of graphene oxide membranes, we've unlocked a method for controlled silver ion release, paving the way for sustained antimicrobial efficacy in various applications. Our research represents a paradigm shift in antimicrobial coating technology. By harnessing the potential of graphene oxide membranes, we've unlocked a method for controlled silver ion release, paving the way for sustained antimicrobial efficacy in various applications,” has stated the lead author Rahul Nair.
In a bid to better simulate real biological conditions, the researchers developed a new testing model using foetal bovine serum. This allowed them to closely replicate the physiological environment the coating would face within the human body, providing more accurate insights into its long-term performance.
Looking ahead, the team plans to explore how this innovative coating can be incorporated into a wide range of medical and everyday products—helping to make bacterial resistance a more manageable challenge rather than a persistent hidden threat.
“This approach allows us to deliver just the right amount of silver for extended protection. It has potential in many areas, including wound care dressings and antimicrobial coatings for implants, and could bring long-term benefits for both patients and healthcare providers,” has added first author Swathi Suran.