SURFACE TREATMENT METHOD FOR COPPER OR COPPER ALLOY, SURFACE TREATMENT LIQUID FOR STERILIZING COPPER OR COPPER ALLOY, AND STERILIZATION METHOD USING COPPER OR COPPER ALLOY TREATED BY SAID METHOD
The present invention provides a surface treatment method that improves antimicrobial activity of copper or a copper alloy and enhances immediate effects of antimicrobial actions on the surface of the copper or the copper alloy. A surface treatment method for copper or a copper alloy according to the present invention comprises preparing a reducing agent solution containing a biological reducing substance, and treating the surface of the copper or the copper alloy with the reducing agent solution. The present invention also provides a surface treatment liquid for sterilizing copper or a copper alloy, in which the surface treatment liquid contains a biological reducing substance. The present invention also provides a sterilization method that comprises bringing copper or a copper alloy treated by the surface treatment method into contact with a surface of an object to sterilize the surface of the object.