Potential of Supercritical Solvent Impregnation for Development of Materials with Antibacterial Properties

Abstract

Supercritical solvent impregnation is a modern technique which exploits the unique transport properties and qualities of supercritical fluids such as low viscosity, high diffusion coefficients , densities as in a liquid state and zero surface tension , for the fabrication of novel materials. The mentioned properties allow deep penetration of supercritical fluid with a dissolved bioactive substance into a solid matrix enabling even distribution of the active substance through the whole volume of the solid phase which is a unique advantage of this technique and cannot be done using conventional impregnation methods. In this mini-review, literature data on production of materials with antibacterial properties via supercritical solvent impregnation with carbon dioxide will be presented, focusing on textile and polymer materials. Impregnation of non-antibiotic substances, such as natural bioactive components and plant extracts, is discussed. The reviewed data reveals the high and unique potential of su-percritical impregnation in the design of new materials with antibacterial properties. Taking into account an urgent need for such materials and the feasibility of supercritical fluid im-pregnation on industrial scale in textile dyeing and wood impregnation, the application of this technique for antibac-terial materials production on industrial scale is expected in the near future.