Application of nanotechnology for self-sanitizing keyboards in an academic institution

Abstract

Keyboards and mice, being the potential reservoir of fungi, pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, are constantly in contact with humans and may serve as a source of nosocomial infections. The present study was designed to develop self-sanitizing computer keyboards and mice to reduce such incidences in the presence of fluorescent light. Titania Nanotubes (TNTs) were fabricated from already prepared Titania Nanoparticles (TNPs) using the hydrothermal treatment method. TNTs and TNPs were characterized using SEM, EDX and XRD. Resulting Titania nanostructures were in the range of 24 to 35 nm. Selected keys of standard computer keyboards, and mice surfaces, were coated with a commercial adhesive containing 1% TNT and TNP to develop a disinfecting surface. These coated keyboard and mouse surfaces were found effective in reducing important airborne bacterial species present in indoor air. The effectiveness of the technique was checked by taking microbial samples at specific time intervals and disinfection rate was checked against each identified species. Results indicate that the Titania Nanotubes showed a much better disinfection capability compared to Titania Nanoparticles.