Abstract
Showing significant antimicrobial activity (in vitro), SilverSil is the name of sol-gel coatings consisting of organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) entrapping silver nanoparticles originally derived from methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) only. In this study, we report the outcomes of investigation aimed at developing SilverSil coatings in sight of practical application. Besides MTES, we investigate the use of 3-(aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) to prepare new SilverSil coatings. The effect of selected parameters including the water/alkoxide ratio, the presence of ethanol as a co-solvent, the time of gel aging, the gel drying conditions, and the presence of AgNO3 were investigated. Results are revealing and further support the investigation of SilverSil towards practical application as antibacterial coatings of broad scope and limited antimicrobial resistance.