Preparation and antibacterial activity of silver-doped organic–inorganic hybrid coatings on glass substrates

Silver-doped organic–inorganic hybrid coating solutions were prepared by incorporating AgNO3 into organic–inorganic hybrid sols derived from methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MEMO) and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) using the sol–gel method. They were applied on the soda-lime slide glass, and crack-free and transparent coatings were obtained by a low temperature heat treatment at 150 °C for 3 h. The formation of Ag colloids in the coating films was confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The size control of Ag colloids in the coating films was possible by adjusting initial AgNO3 concentrations in the coating solutions. The antibacterial activity of the coating films was tested against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria by film contact method. The coating films exhibited an excellent antibacterial activity against both S. aureus and E. coli.