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Abstract

Compositions having antimicrobial activity contain particles comprising at least one inorganic copper salt; and at least one functionalizing agent in contact with the particles, the functionalizing agent stabilizing the particle in a carrier such that an antimicrobially effective amount of ions are released into the environment of a microbe. The average size of the particles ranges from about 1000 nm to about 3 nm. Preferred copper salts include copper iodide, copper bromide and copper chloride, most preferred being copper iodide. Preferred functionalizing agents comprise materials with a molecular weight of 60 or above, which include amino acids, other acidic materials, thiols, hydrophilic polymers, emulsions of hydrophobic polymers and surfactants. The functionalized particles are preferably made by a grinding process.

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First Claim