Sunflower ashes and nanoparticles embedded in silane matrix as bioactive filler material

Abstract

Microbial contamination of indoor environmental surfaces is a common source forinfections therefore, bio-deterioration in buildings indoor materials is really important toavoid, due to the negative impact on human health. Consequently, functionalized andsustainable materials are being intensively studied to control the microbial colonization.Firstly, it was possible to obtain silica samples by the sol-gel method with the addition ofsunflower residues in the form of ashes together with silver or copper salt to produceantimicrobials solids. Secondly, the synthesized solids were characterized by differenttechniques. TEM analyses confirmed the successful inclusion of silver and coppernanoparticles into the silica framework mainly spherical in shape, and small size. Theantimicrobial activity of the solids was assessed against fungal strains obtained from indoorbio-deteriorated building surfaces, Chaetomium globosum (KU936228) and Alternariaalternata (KU936229). The addition of ashes into the samples improved the antifungalactivity of the solids. Both silver and copper as antimicrobial agents reduce the potential forcross-contamination to occur, as it is effective against a wide range of microorganisms.