Past and Current Progress in the Development of Antiviral/Antimicrobial Polymer Coating towards COVID-19 Prevention:

Nazihah Nasri1, Arjulizan Rusli1, Naozumi Teramoto2

  • 1School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal 14300, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

Polymers
|December 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This review explores antiviral and antimicrobial coatings to combat SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) transmission. It details various coating types, their mechanisms, and surface modification techniques for enhanced protection.

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Infectious Disease Control

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need for strategies to minimize SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
  • SARS-CoV-2 can persist on surfaces for up to 9 days, increasing transmission risk through contact.
  • Antimicrobial surface coatings offer a promising approach to reduce viral and bacterial spread.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of antiviral and antimicrobial coating agents.
  • To elaborate on the action modes of different antimicrobial agents against pathogens.
  • To discuss surface properties, modification techniques, and recent developments in antiviral/antimicrobial coatings for pandemic control.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on antimicrobial coatings.
  • Analysis of different coating categories: polymer-based, metal-based, nanomaterials, and nanocomposites.
  • Discussion of surface modification techniques and their impact on coating efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Categorization of various antimicrobial coating agents and their mechanisms of action.
  • Exploration of factors influencing the surface properties of antiviral and antimicrobial polymer coatings.
  • Presentation of developed research on antiviral/antimicrobial coatings relevant to COVID-19.

Conclusions:

  • Antimicrobial coatings are crucial in mitigating viral and bacterial transmission.
  • Understanding coating properties and modification is key to developing effective antiviral surfaces.
  • Continued research into advanced coating materials is vital for public health protection.

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