A Review of Investigations and Applications of Biocides in Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies

Abstract

In recent years, the development of nanomaterials with biocidal properties has received considerable attention due to their potential applications in various industries, including food, medicine, and cultural heritage preservation. The growing demand for coatings with antibacterial properties has sparked interest from industrial sectors in exploring the incorporation of biocides into these materials. Coatings are prone to microbial growth, which can cause damage such as cracking, discoloration, and staining. To combat these problems, the integration of biocides into coatings is a crucial strategy. Biocide-embedded nanomaterials offer numerous advantages, including high efficiency in small quantities, ease of application, good chemical stability, low toxicity, and non-bioaccumulation. Encapsulated nanobiocides are particularly attractive to the agro-industry, because they can be less toxic than traditional biocides while still effectively controlling microbial contamination. To fully exploit the benefits of nanobiocides, future research should focus on optimizing their synthesis, formulation, and delivery methods. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current status of biocide nanomaterials, discuss potential future research directions, and highlight research methods, the development of new forms of nanomaterials, and studies of their physico-chemical properties. Biocide nanocapsules of DCOIT (4,5-Dichloro-2-octyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one) are chosen as an example to illustrate the research pathways.