Graphenemex Mexico, led by Antonio Miramontes, has presented what it describes as “extraordinary results” from test work, which found its graphene-based additives had anti-microbial properties when included in coatings.

A group of researchers from San Luis Potosí University carried out the tests which assessed the antibacterial properties of Graphenemex’s graphene-based additives in an epoxy coating system.

The results showed bacterial activity, specifically in relation to Escherichia Coli (E-Coli), was hampered when a range of graphene additivities were included in an epoxy coating.

“One of the graphene additives that we evaluated showed thorough destruction of E-Coli bacteria when compared to the same coating type containing no graphene,” Graphenemex explained.

Miramontes and his team are now planning to carry out further work to confirm and optimise the results. If successful, graphene enhanced coatings could be used in areas where control of bacteria growth on surfaces is important including hospitals, public areas, food preparation facilities, drinking water systems, antifouling for shipping and coatings for wastewater systems.

Antonio Miramontes is very enthusiastic and describes the results as “outstanding”. He added the results encouraged the company to develop a product for a “multitude of anti-microbial coatings applications” in multi-billion-dollar markets.

Anti-corrosive properties

Miramontes pointed out today’s anti-microbial results follow on from previous test work that showed the company’s graphene-based additives also prevented corrosion when included in coatings.

Earlier this year, the company revealed test work showed their graphene additives “significantly” improved anti-corrosive performance when included in coatings.

Compared to a control coating, Graphenemex’s graphene-additives improved corrosion performance up to 73%, and boosted adhesion by 19%. With these properties, Graphenemex is targeting large industrial markets including marine and protective coatings, environmental remediation and biomedical applications.

What is graphene?

Grapheneis a new nanomaterial that comes from carbon, considered as the material of the future by the revolution it is generating in dierent fields whithin science and industry. Graphene, also called “The material of God”, has unique characteristics that make it better than existing products. Evaluation of graphene in a multitude of end-uses is currently under investigation.