Antibacterial properties of novel transparent copper films: a potential new tool to reduce healthcare-associated infections in hospitals and healthcare facilities

All copper films showed sufficient antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus regardless of the copper layer thickness. The thinnest 5 nm copper film with high transparency was considered most useful for medical applications because of its visibility. Further study is needed to determine whether this transparent copper film reduces microbial contamination on environmental surfaces and contributes to reducing HAIs in hospitals and healthcare facilities.