Novel Porous Copper Executes Staph Bacteria 100 Times Faster

Jan, 2022 - By SMI

Research found a novel porous copper surface that kills bacteria 100 times quicker and effectively than normal copper, and it may help tackle the increasing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Copper eliminates bacteria when it comes in contact with them, it normally takes an hour for this process. Now a collaborative group of scientists at RMIT University and national science agency of Australia, CSIRO, developed a new porous copper that kills the bacteria present on the metal more than 100 times faster and with more efficiency compared to normal copper. According to the research published in the journal Science Direct on November 25, 2021, this new copper could help to deal with the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Normal copper releases ions that attacks the outer membranes to kill bacteria. This process takes one to nearly four hours to kill all of the bacteria present on the metal. The team of scientists created this new porous copper by developing a molded alloy made from atoms of manganese and copper. Using a chemical process known as dealloying, the team removed manganese atoms and the remaining material is determined as a porous copper that is full of micro and nanoscale cavities.

The structure of this newly created porous copper provides much more surface area compared to regular smooth copper. It allows to produce higher number of ions. Moreover, on the surface of regular copper, water forms into droplets, however, it is absorbed and spread out evenly into a slim film on the novel copper. As per the team, due to this process of spreading out water bacteria gets stretched out on the copper, which makes it easier for the ions to enter the outer membrane of bacteria. The team is now studying the efficiency of this new copper in eliminating the SARS-CoV-2 virus.