Nanocomposite coatings for the prevention of surface contamination by coronavirus

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 2;17(8):e0272307. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272307. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The current Covid-19 pandemic has a profound impact on all aspects of our lives. Aside from contagion by aerosols, the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 is ubiquitous on surfaces that millions of people handle daily. Therefore, controlling this pandemic involves the reduction of potential infections via contaminated surfaces. We developed antiviral surfaces by preparing suspensions of copper and cupric oxide nanoparticles in two different polymer matrices, poly(methyl methacrylate) and polyepoxide. For total copper contents as low as 5%, the composite material showed remarkable antiviral properties against the HCoV-OC43 human coronavirus and against a model lentivirus and proved well-resistant to accelerated aging conditions. Importantly, we showed that the Cu/CuO mixture showed optimal performances. This product can be implemented to produce a simple and inexpensive coating with long-term antiviral properties and will open the way to developing surface coatings against a broad spectrum of pathogens including SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Copper / pharmacology
  • Coronavirus OC43, Human*
  • Humans
  • Nanocomposites*
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Copper

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the Israel Innovation Authority, and Israel Science Foundations: F.I.R.S.T. Individual Grant # 2058/18. ET is supported by Israel Ministry of Science and Technology, Ariane de Rothschild Women's Doctoral scholar ships program for outstanding female Ph.D. students, and Israel Scholarship Education Foundation (ISEF).