The role of surface wettability of copper and its alloys CuSn6, CuZn37 in antimicrobial efficacy standardized tests

Abstract

The spread of bacterial infections often occurs through indirect contact with infected individuals. Thus, surfaces with antimicrobial properties have gained prominence in healthcare and public spaces. Testing standards exist for assessing the antibacterial effectiveness of these materials, but they do not consider surface properties, particularly surface wettability during microbiological tests. An experiment was conducted to modify copper and its alloys’ surfaces through chemical treatment, altering contact angles. The results revealed that contact angles significantly influence the contact area between droplets and test surfaces, as well as the evaporation time of droplets. These factors can ultimately impact the results of antimicrobial efficacy tests.

Keywords

• copper, copper alloy, copper sheet
• copper oxide, antimicrobial surface