X-ray diffraction and microstructural analysis of Cu–TiO₂ layers deposited by cold spray

Abstract

Scientific research shows that copper, under appropriate conditions, has the properties of an antibacterial substance and acts as a bactericidal and bacteriostatic material. Another material that has antibacterial properties is titanium dioxide (TiO2). Avoidance of a crystal structure allows the formation of coatings with nanometric TiO2 powders using the low-pressure cold spray method. The paper presents results of qualitative X-ray diffraction phase analysis and research using the methods of transmission electron microscopy of composite Cu–TiO2 coatings, with different proportions of the modifying phase TiO2. Studies have shown that the conditions accompanying application in a cold gas environment do not initiate conversion from the amorphous phase into the crystalline structure of anatase.

Antimicrobial Copper Cold Spray Coatings and SARS-CoV-2 Surface Inactivation

“…Rather, they subsequently partnered with academic researchers (Sundberg et al) to demonstrate the way in which more rapid contact killing/inactivation rates can be achieved by utilizing a novel nanostructured spray-dried pure copper feedstock powder instead of the conventionally gas-atomized powder typically used in copper cold spray deposition 25 Thereafter, publications focusing on various material aspects such as surface roughness, surface species and surface chemistry, corrosion, and microstructure, were pursued by Sundberg et al [26][27][28][29][30] Around the same time, Champagne, Sundberg, and Helfritch, coauthored a more focused document that reformulated their respective mechanistic framework for interpreting the postulated reasons as to why antimicrobial copper cold spray coatings antipathogenic efficacies outperform many alternative surface engineering solutions 31 . Not long after, a holistic framework for understanding the antipathogenic performance unique to copper cold spray coatings was presented by Sousa et al 22 Beyond that time, Rutkowska-Gorczyca investigated the microstructure of an antibacterial copper and titanium dioxide composite coatings produced using low pressure cold spray in 32 . Sanpo et al analyzed a copper and zinc oxide composite cold sprayed coating for the purpose of contact killing and prohibiting C. marina bacterial attachment to maritime vessel surfaces 33 .…”