Millions of people were killed and sicken by infectious diseases every year. According to a report of the World Health Organization, one of the most common routes for transmission of infectious disease is by indirect contact with surfaces contaminated with infectious droplets produced by the patient’s coughing, sneezing and talking. In order to break the chain of infection, regular cleaning and disinfection were important, and use of antiviral surface coating provides an additional safeguard against disease transmission.

Polymer-encapsulated chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) applied to solid surfaces have been shown by us to disinfect aqueous solutions of influenza viruses, Enterovirus 71 (EV71), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Adenovirus (ADV), and bacteriophage T3. An increased release o...[ Read more ]

Millions of people were killed and sicken by infectious diseases every year. According to a report of the World Health Organization, one of the most common routes for transmission of infectious disease is by indirect contact with surfaces contaminated with infectious droplets produced by the patient’s coughing, sneezing and talking. In order to break the chain of infection, regular cleaning and disinfection were important, and use of antiviral surface coating provides an additional safeguard against disease transmission.

Polymer-encapsulated chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) applied to solid surfaces have been shown by us to disinfect aqueous solutions of influenza viruses, Enterovirus 71 (EV71), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Adenovirus (ADV), and bacteriophage T3. An increased release of the biocides at the sites of contamination was triggered by touch and infectious droplets, which lead to rapid disinfection. Copper (II) chloride was added to provide “contact-killing” properties, while virus adhesion was prevented by the Pluronic polymer used to encapsulate ClO₂.

Viral titers were determined by plaque assay which was a conventional technique to obtain an accurate reduction activity. Based on this research, the smart antiviral coating is effective against non-enveloped virus with positive-sense RNA genomes and enveloped virus with positive - sense RNA genomes, including: influenza virus and EV71. A greater than 4 log (i.e., ≥99.99%) reduction was obtained at a short contact time of 1 min on the first day test and over 95% reduction on the 30^th day test.

Moreover, TCID₅₀ test method was used to estimate viral titer of RSV and ADV after contact with the antimicrobial coating. A greater than 96% reduction was obtained at a 1 min on the initial day test and over 65% reduction on the 30^th day test.

Besides the virucidal performance of the coating, we elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon. Protein, RNA, and Transmission electron microscope (TEM) based experiments reveal that, upon contact with the polymer-encapsulated ClO₂ coating, RNA and DNA viruses irreversibly adhere it, followed by structural damage and inactivation; subsequently, viral genetic materials are released into solution, while proteins remain adsorbed and denatured rapidly.

Nowadays, the need for antiviral coating is not limited exclusively to commercial applications. Homes are also a breeding ground for unsafe health contaminants. The coating is necessary for the residences of those who have weakened immune systems and where elderly residents and children are living.