Antibacterial glass

Abstract

Provided is an antimicrobial glass which can be accommodated in a narrow accommodation space of an antimicrobial water unit for supplying antimicrobial water to a washing tub of a washing machine, and also can effectively suppress an occurrence of black mold or the like in a washing tub and can effectively protect a subject for washing against microbes while suppressing the coloration of the subject. As an antimicrobial glass for exhibiting an antimicrobial effect by releasing silver ions when brought into direct contact with water, when the total amount is 100% by weight, the content of Ag 2 O has a value within the range of above 5% by weight but less than 10% by weight, the content of P 2 O 5 and CaO has a value within a predetermined range, the content of ZnO has a value of below 10% by weight, the content of K 2 O, Al 2 O 3 , and MgO has a value within a predetermined range, and the antimicrobial glass has a tablet shape with a maximum diameter value in a predetermined range.

1 . An antimicrobial glass for exhibiting an antimicrobial effect by releasing silver ions when brought into direct contact with water, wherein it contains Ag 2 O, P 2 O 5 , CaO, ZnO, K 2 O, Al 2 O 3 , and MgO as a raw material, and when the total amount is 100% by weight, the content of Ag 2 O has a value within the range of above 5% by weight but less than 10% by weight, the content of P 2 O 5  has a value within the range of 55 to 75% by weight, the content of CaO has a value within the range of 1 to 10% by weight, the content of ZnO has a value of below 10% by weight, the content of K 2 O has a value within the range of 5 to 20% by weight, the content of Al 2 O 3  has a value within the range of 1 to 10% by weight, and the content of MgO has a value within the range of 5 to 20% by weight, and the antimicrobial glass has a tablet shape with a maximum diameter value within the range of 5 to 20 mm. 
     
     
         2 . The antimicrobial glass according to  claim 1 , wherein the specific surface area of the antimicrobial glass has a value within the range of 0.1 to 5 cm 2 /g. 
     
     
         3 . The antimicrobial glass according to  claim 1 , wherein the silver ion elution amount of the antimicrobial glass which is measured according to the following measurement conditions has a value within the range of 0.025 to 0.1 mg/(g·1 liter·24 Hrs·30° C.) which is measured in accordance with the following measurement conditions:
 30 g of the antimicrobial glass as a subject for measurement is immersed in 1 liter of purified water (30° C., pH 6.5) and kept in a closed system for 24 hours with the temperature maintained followed by measurement. 
 
     
     
         4 . The antimicrobial glass according to  claim 1 , wherein C2/C1 has a value of 0.4 or more when the content of ZnO is C1 (% by weight) and the content of Al 2 O 3  is C2 (% by weight). 
     
     
         5 . The antimicrobial glass according to  claim 1 , wherein it is accommodated inside a coated member provided with an opening for passing water therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The antimicrobial glass according to  claim 5 , wherein it is accommodated, together with a non-antimicrobial glass, inside a coated member. 
     
     
         7 . The antimicrobial glass according to  claim 1 , wherein it is an antimicrobial glass for a washing machine accommodated in an antimicrobial water unit for supplying antimicrobial water to a washing tub of a washing machine.