ENHANCED RETENTION CAPABILITIES THROUGH METHODS COMPRISING SURFACE TREATMENT OF FUNCTIONAL PARTICULATE CARRIER MATERIALS, AND FUNCTIONAL PARTICULATE CARRIER MATERIALS MADE THEREFROM
Functional particulate carrier materials with enhanced retention capabilities are described. The materials comprise at least one functional particulate carrier material subjected to at least one surface treatment, and at least one active ingredient. The at least one surface treatment may be at least one physical surface treatment and/or at least one chemical surface treatment with at least one surface treating agent. The at least one active ingredient may be a biocide, a fungicide, a mildewcide, an antibiotic, an insecticide, a preservative, or an antimicrobial agent. Methods for enhancing the performance of plastics and liquid-based media, for example, coatings and paints, are also described by increasing the retention factors of active ingredients in those plastics and media through surface treatment of functional particulate carrier materials.