Cu/SiO2 microspheres were prepared with the sol-gel process by adding
3-(glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GLYMO), using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as a silica
precursor. Sol-gel formation with acid catalysts and copper (II) acetate monohydrate was
used in combination with a spray dryer, to obtain Cu/SiO2 microspheres. SEM-EDS showed
the surface morphology, the particle size, and the shape of the Cu/SiO2 microspheres.
The long-term effects of Cu/SiO2 microspheres against microorganisms in paint were
determined using the fungus (P. funiculosum), Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli), and Gram-positive
bacteria (S. aureus). The addition of GLYMO increased the stability of antimicrobial properties
by lengthening the biocidal effect up to 12 months with 85% inhibition, in comparison with
the commercial antimicrobial paint, which showed only 40% inhibition in the same time period.