Methods for the production of co-deposition products include an oxidized metal species attached to silica in the presence of oxidation means. Also provided are methods for the production of composite materials which include a substrate and the co-deposition product. Furthermore, methods for producing a multi-layered co-deposition product which include two or more layers of the co-deposition product are also described. Co-deposition products comprising an oxidized species of metal, such as oxidized silver or copper, attached to silica are also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the metal is silver, and the resulting co-deposition product provides anti-microbial, anti-fungal and/or anti-biofilm properties to materials.
