The natural fibres can be plant fibres and/or animal fibres; with preference, the natural fibres are selected from abaca fibres, bamboo fibres, banana fibres, coir fibres, coconut husk fibres, cotton fibres, flax fibres, henequen fibres, hemp fibres, hop fibres, jute fibres, palm fibres, ramie fibres, sisal fibres, vine branch fibres, miscanthus fibres, cellulose fibres, wood fibres and/or cork fibres. For example, the natural fibres are or comprise sisal fibres.
For example, the metal-coated particles are or comprise metal-coated fibres wherein fibres have an average length of at least 100 μm and/or an average diameter of at least 5 μm.
For example, the at least one metal-coated particle is or comprises metal-coated fibres wherein the metal-coated fibres have an average length of at least 100 μm, preferably of at least 150 μm, such as an average length ranging from 100 μm to 500 μm, for example, ranging from 150 to 400 μm or from 160 to 300 μm.
For example, the at least one metal-coated particle is or comprises metal-coated fibres wherein the metal-coated fibres have an average diameter of at least 5 μm; preferably at least 10 μm; such as an average diameter ranging from 5 to 50 μm, for example, from 10 to 40 μm or from 12 to 30 μm.
For example, the metal of the metal-coated particles is selected from silver, copper, gold, aluminium, tungsten, zinc, cobalt, nickel, iron, titanium, platinum, or any mixture thereof; with preference, from silver, copper, gold, aluminium, tungsten, zinc, cobalt, nickel, iron; more preferably, the metal is silver.
For example, the metal-coated particles comprise from 1 to 50 wt. % of metal based on the total weight of the metal-coated particles, preferably from 5 to 30 wt. % or from 6 to 25 wt. %.