Rapid and Repetitive Inactivation of SARS‐CoV‐2 and Human Coronavirus on Self‐Disinfecting Anionic Polymers

Abstract

While the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic affirms an urgent global need for effective vaccines as second and third infection waves are spreading worldwide and generating new mutant virus strains, it has also revealed the importance of mitigating the transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 through the introduction of restrictive social practices. Here, it is demonstrated that an architecturally‐ and chemically‐diverse family of nanostructured anionic polymers yield a rapid and continuous disinfecting alternative to inactivate coronaviruses and prevent their transmission from contact with contaminated surfaces. Operating on a dramatic pH‐drop mechanism along the polymer/pathogen interface, polymers of this archetype inactivate the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, as well as a human coronavirus surrogate (HCoV‐229E), to the minimum detection limit within minutes. Application of these anionic polymers to frequently touched surfaces in medical, educational, and public‐transportation facilities, or personal protection equipment, can provide rapid and repetitive protection without detrimental health or environmental complications.

Photodynamic Coatings on Polymer Microfibers for Pathogen Inactivation: Effects of Application Method and Composition

“…One design derives from a partially sulfonated (anionic) multiblock polymer that, in the presence of water, drastically lowers the surface pH below what is tolerable by many pathogens, thereby killing a wide range of bacteria and viruses to the minimum detection limit (MDL) of 99.9999% in just minutes with no additional stimuli. 22 Recent studies 23 confirm that this approach is equally effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic that has reportedly infected nearly 25 million people, claiming the lives of over 840 000 around the world 24 as of the time of this writing. Although this revolutionary approach is promising, further studies are necessary to functionalize the various polymers used in the textile industry.…”

Residual antimicrobial coating efficacy against SARS-CoV-2

“…The variability in antiviral efficacy observed for the polymer film in the present study may be due to variability in the degree of sulphonation or the application of the film itself onto stainless steel. The wide range of antiviral efficacy observed for this film in the present study, coupled with recent studies providing evidence for the use of polymer coatings to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 (Peddinti et al, 2021), suggests that further investigation into the antimicrobial stability of polymer coatings may be warranted.…”

Virucidal and biodegradable specialty cellulose nonwovens as personal protective equipment against COVID-19 pandemic

“…To evaluate the antiviral performance of the BCNWs, we tested the TOCNWs-PHG and TOCNWs-NEO against both HCoV-229E (Human coronavirus) and SARS-CoV-2 viruses and assessed the cytopathic effect using a Titer assay. HCoV-229E, a type of coronavirus, is an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus, which has been shown to have less virulent capacity [37] . Therefore, HCoV-229E is an appropriate surrogate on several BCNWs samples prior to the SARS-CoV-2 inactivation tests.…”