Enhancing Antibacterial Property of Aluminum Foil by Nanostructuring Its Surface Through a Steam Treatment

In this study, we demonstrated that the antibacterial activity of aluminum (Al) foil could be enhanced by nanostructuring the surface using steam treatment. Cultures of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were grown on nutrient agar while exposed to the samples of steam-treated Al foils for 15 s, 1 min, and 10 min. The bacteria were left on the foil for 1 min and 60 min. Our results indicate that the higher the treatment time and the longer the bacteria were left on the surface, the more effective the steam Al-treated foil was able to inhibit the bacteria growth compared to the untreated Al foil. The antibacterial property was enhanced by as much as 100