Pathogen-Repellent Plastic Wrap with Built-In Hierarchical Structuring Prevents the Contamination of Surfaces with Coronaviruses

Abstract

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it is evident that viral spread is mediated through several different transmission pathways. Reduction of these transmission pathways is urgently needed to control the spread of viruses between infected and susceptible individuals. Herein, we report the use of pathogen-repellent plastic wraps (RepelWrap) with engineered surface structures at multiple length scales (nanoscale to microscale) as a means of reducing the indirect contact transmission of viruses through fomites. To quantify viral repellency, we developed a touch-based viral quantification assay to mimic the interaction of a contaminated human touch with a surface through the modification of traditional viral quantification methods (viral plaque and TCID50 assays). These studies demonstrate that RepelWrap reduced contamination with an enveloped DNA virus as well as the human coronavirus 229E (HuCoV-229E) by more than 4 log 10 (>99.99%) compared to a standard commercially available polyethylene plastic wrap. In addition, RepelWrap maintained its repellent properties after repeated 300 touches and did not show an accumulation in viral titer after multiple contacts with contaminated surfaces, while increases were seen on other commonly used surfaces. These findings show the potential use of repellent surfaces in reducing viral contamination on surfaces, which could, in turn, reduce the surface-based spread and transmission.

A Bifunctional Spray Coating Reduces Contamination on Surfaces by Repelling and Killing Pathogens

“…These particles were wrinkled, giving them structuring in the micro- and nanoscale, coated with low surface energy fluorosilane providing them with hydrophobicity, and decorated with metallic nanoparticles introducing structuring in the sub-100 nm length scale. The metallic nanoparticles played a dual purpose herein; they improved the structural hierarchy needed for better repellency ,− and provided antimicrobial activity as it was previously demonstrated with gold, silver, and copper nanoparticles. , …”

Superomniphobic and Photoactive Surface Presents Antimicrobial Properties by Repelling and Killing Pathogens

“…The TiO 2 NPs are attached/bound to the surface through dehydration synthesis reaction. , This process was accelerated by baking the coated surface at 60 °C for 10 min (Figure b). Following the formation of the TiO 2 NP layer, the surfaces were treated with fluorosilane (FS) (1.5 h, 0.5 wt %) in order to reduce the surface energy (Figure c). , The final microstructure of the wrap was formed by thermally shrinking the polymer at 145 °C, which resulted in buckling of the thin film and the formation of hierarchical structures with microscale and nanoscale features (Figure d). Such buckling of NP thin films is expected as the NPs form a stiff layer, capable of buckling under critical strain .…”

“…Surface Durability Characterization: The protocol for the touch durability test and mechanical abrasion test are found elsewhere. A 200 g weight was used as the mechanical load for both the touch and mechanical abrasion durability tests.…”

“…Even though repellant materials significantly reduce the spread and proliferation of pathogens, , they suffer from several shortcomings. Despite recent progress for long-term lubricant retention, , liquid-infused surfaces are not appropriate for use on high-touch surfaces due to their slippery nature .…”

An Omniphobic Spray Coating Created from Hierarchical Structures Prevents the Contamination of High‐Touch Surfaces with Pathogens

“…This is in line with past findings from literature indicating that a combination of micro/nano dual-scale roughness with small wrinkling wavelengths prevents the spread of pathogens. [69][70][71]…”