Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SUPREME (SUstainable nanoPaRticles Enabled antiMicrobial surfacE coatings)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2024-07-01 do 2025-12-31
As a consequence of globalisation, disease outbreaks can spread rapidly across borders, posing major risks to public health, social stability, and economic resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the role of frequently touched surfaces in pathogen transmission and the need for effective preventive measures. High-traffic environments such as hospitals, public transport, schools, workplaces and public buildings remain particularly vulnerable to contamination by viruses, bacteria and fungi. In this context, antimicrobial surface technologies that reduce microbial adhesion and inactivate pathogens provide an important complement to conventional hygiene and disinfection practices.
Nanoparticle-enabled coatings have demonstrated strong antimicrobial potential against a wide range of microorganisms, yet broader industrial uptake remains limited due to challenges related to long-term performance, durability under real conditions, safety for users and the environment, and compliance with evolving European regulatory and sustainability requirements. At the same time, European initiatives such as the European Green Deal, the EU Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance and the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design framework emphasise the need for innovative and responsible advanced materials solutions.
Within this context, the SUPREME project develops next-generation antimicrobial nanomaterials and multifunctional coatings combining high performance, durability, safety and sustainability. Its objectives include designing advanced nanostructures, engineering coatings for diverse substrates, validating antimicrobial and photocatalytic performance under realistic conditions, integrating modelling tools to understand microbial interactions, and assessing safety and environmental impacts across the material life cycle.
SUPREME links fundamental research with application-oriented validation through harmonised testing, inter-laboratory collaboration and engagement with industrial partners to support scalable technologies. By enabling durable antimicrobial surfaces for high-risk environments, the project contributes to improved infection prevention, reduced microbial contamination and enhanced preparedness for future health crises, while supporting European priorities in public health, sustainable materials and industrial innovation.
Nanoparticle-enabled coatings have demonstrated strong antimicrobial potential against a wide range of microorganisms, yet broader industrial uptake remains limited due to challenges related to long-term performance, durability under real conditions, safety for users and the environment, and compliance with evolving European regulatory and sustainability requirements. At the same time, European initiatives such as the European Green Deal, the EU Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance and the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design framework emphasise the need for innovative and responsible advanced materials solutions.
Within this context, the SUPREME project develops next-generation antimicrobial nanomaterials and multifunctional coatings combining high performance, durability, safety and sustainability. Its objectives include designing advanced nanostructures, engineering coatings for diverse substrates, validating antimicrobial and photocatalytic performance under realistic conditions, integrating modelling tools to understand microbial interactions, and assessing safety and environmental impacts across the material life cycle.
SUPREME links fundamental research with application-oriented validation through harmonised testing, inter-laboratory collaboration and engagement with industrial partners to support scalable technologies. By enabling durable antimicrobial surfaces for high-risk environments, the project contributes to improved infection prevention, reduced microbial contamination and enhanced preparedness for future health crises, while supporting European priorities in public health, sustainable materials and industrial innovation.
Strong scientific and technical progress was achieved so far toward developing efficient, durable and sustainable antimicrobial nanocoatings designed to reduce pathogen transmission on high-contact surfaces and textiles. Activities focused on advanced material design, validation of antimicrobial performance, optimisation of coating durability and adhesion, safety assessment, environmental evaluation and preparation for application in relevant environments.
A versatile platform of functional nanomaterials was developed, including customised core–shell and hybrid nanoparticles such as Ag-decorated TiO2, ZnO-based and CeO2-functionalised materials, carbon dot-modified systems and SiO2–Ag structures. These were incorporated into multifunctional coatings using scalable deposition methods including plasma, dip, spray and powder coating. Coatings were successfully applied to diverse substrates—metals, textiles, plastics, packaging, paper and construction materials—demonstrating adaptability across sectors. Hybrid bio-based fibre–nanoparticle systems were also introduced to enhance sustainability while maintaining performance.
Extensive validation used harmonised cross-partner protocols. More than sixty nanomaterials were assessed through combined laboratory testing and modelling approaches to evaluate antimicrobial activity against representative bacteria, fungi and viruses. This process identified the most promising materials and coating formulations with broad-spectrum antimicrobial performance and confirmed their potential for sectors such as textiles and construction, while further optimisation and expanded testing are ongoing.
Technical work also addressed durability, adhesion and mechanical stability under realistic conditions. Evaluation of contact behaviour, wettability and environmental resistance enabled optimisation of formulations and deposition processes to ensure uniform coverage and strong adhesion across surfaces. Laboratory-scale validation confirmed coating robustness and usability, while early pilot-scale considerations established pathways toward industrial implementation.
Safety and sustainability were integrated throughout development using a Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design approach. Hazard screening of more than thirty nanomaterials supported safer material selection, while life-cycle assessments identified nanoparticle production as a key environmental hotspot, guiding improvements in synthesis and formulation strategies.
Overall, the project has delivered reproducible multifunctional nanocoatings with validated antimicrobial performance, demonstrated durability and adhesion, solid safety evaluation and clear environmental improvement pathways, providing a strong foundation for further optimisation, scale-up and real-world deployment.
A versatile platform of functional nanomaterials was developed, including customised core–shell and hybrid nanoparticles such as Ag-decorated TiO2, ZnO-based and CeO2-functionalised materials, carbon dot-modified systems and SiO2–Ag structures. These were incorporated into multifunctional coatings using scalable deposition methods including plasma, dip, spray and powder coating. Coatings were successfully applied to diverse substrates—metals, textiles, plastics, packaging, paper and construction materials—demonstrating adaptability across sectors. Hybrid bio-based fibre–nanoparticle systems were also introduced to enhance sustainability while maintaining performance.
Extensive validation used harmonised cross-partner protocols. More than sixty nanomaterials were assessed through combined laboratory testing and modelling approaches to evaluate antimicrobial activity against representative bacteria, fungi and viruses. This process identified the most promising materials and coating formulations with broad-spectrum antimicrobial performance and confirmed their potential for sectors such as textiles and construction, while further optimisation and expanded testing are ongoing.
Technical work also addressed durability, adhesion and mechanical stability under realistic conditions. Evaluation of contact behaviour, wettability and environmental resistance enabled optimisation of formulations and deposition processes to ensure uniform coverage and strong adhesion across surfaces. Laboratory-scale validation confirmed coating robustness and usability, while early pilot-scale considerations established pathways toward industrial implementation.
Safety and sustainability were integrated throughout development using a Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design approach. Hazard screening of more than thirty nanomaterials supported safer material selection, while life-cycle assessments identified nanoparticle production as a key environmental hotspot, guiding improvements in synthesis and formulation strategies.
Overall, the project has delivered reproducible multifunctional nanocoatings with validated antimicrobial performance, demonstrated durability and adhesion, solid safety evaluation and clear environmental improvement pathways, providing a strong foundation for further optimisation, scale-up and real-world deployment.
SUPREME has delivered technical and scientific advancements that go beyond current antimicrobial surface technologies. The project has developed multifunctional nanocoatings that combine long-term durability, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and sustainability considerations—addressing key limitations of conventional coatings, which often lack robust performance, reproducibility, or environmental compliance.
Novelty is demonstrated through the integration of hybrid fibre–nanoparticle systems combining bio-based cellulose with functional nanoparticles, as well as the systematic use of predictive modelling to inform nanoparticle design and surface functionality. These approaches provide a mechanistic understanding of microbe–surface interactions that can guide the rational design of next-generation coatings. Standardised cross-partner protocols and inter-laboratory validation also establish reproducible methodologies, setting new benchmarks for antimicrobial testing and coating evaluation.
The potential impacts include enhanced infection prevention in healthcare, transport, and public spaces, reduced reliance on conventional chemical disinfectants, and the introduction of sustainable nanomaterials aligned with European regulatory and environmental priorities. Beyond technical performance, SUPREME identifies key enablers for uptake and success: pilot-scale demonstration to validate performance under operational conditions, engagement with industrial partners for market access and commercialisation, targeted IPR protection, alignment with regulatory and standardisation frameworks, and international collaboration to broaden adoption. Further research opportunities include optimisation for new substrates, emerging pathogens, and functional coatings with additional capabilities.
By combining technical innovation with sustainability and reproducibility, SUPREME establishes a platform capable of supporting both European competitiveness in advanced materials and societal benefits in infection control.
Novelty is demonstrated through the integration of hybrid fibre–nanoparticle systems combining bio-based cellulose with functional nanoparticles, as well as the systematic use of predictive modelling to inform nanoparticle design and surface functionality. These approaches provide a mechanistic understanding of microbe–surface interactions that can guide the rational design of next-generation coatings. Standardised cross-partner protocols and inter-laboratory validation also establish reproducible methodologies, setting new benchmarks for antimicrobial testing and coating evaluation.
The potential impacts include enhanced infection prevention in healthcare, transport, and public spaces, reduced reliance on conventional chemical disinfectants, and the introduction of sustainable nanomaterials aligned with European regulatory and environmental priorities. Beyond technical performance, SUPREME identifies key enablers for uptake and success: pilot-scale demonstration to validate performance under operational conditions, engagement with industrial partners for market access and commercialisation, targeted IPR protection, alignment with regulatory and standardisation frameworks, and international collaboration to broaden adoption. Further research opportunities include optimisation for new substrates, emerging pathogens, and functional coatings with additional capabilities.
By combining technical innovation with sustainability and reproducibility, SUPREME establishes a platform capable of supporting both European competitiveness in advanced materials and societal benefits in infection control.