Izabela Malinowska, a doctoral student in the Department of Process Engineering and Chemical Technology at the Faculty of Chemistry at Gdansk University of Technology, has developed a paint and filler with self-cleaning, biocidal, and magnetic properties.

The hybrid paint developed by the young researcher will fight bacteria, remove stains, and free the air in the room from harmful compounds, and will also replace a magnetic board. It is complemented by a biocidal and self-cleaning plaster. In tandem, they will provide protection against the growth of pathogens inside the building. The invention was awarded at the Warsaw International Exhibition of Inventions

“The presence of zinc compounds in the developed composite structure creates such a strong biological barrier that pathogens do not develop on the surface and the hospital bacterial strains present are destroyed in a short time. Tests have been carried out on Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (e.g. Escherichia coli) bacterial strains”, says the author of the invention.

The self-cleaning effect of the paint relies on the fact that, on contact with contamination, the photocatalytic additive present in the paint breaks down dirt, oily contaminants and destroys pathogenic pathogens. In addition, the application of the paint on the walls will ensure that the air is cleaned of volatile organic pollutants or NOx – harmful nitrogen oxides formed, among other things, by the combustion of fuels. Due to its magnetic properties, the paint can also act as a magnetic board.

The paint can be used for a variety of surfaces – not only walls, but also wood, metal and plastics, which can be given a protective and decorative coating. A special plaster has been developed as its complement. Covering a wall with the smoothing coat and paint at the same time will create a biological protection that prevents the building from the development of pathogenic micro-organisms.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński