Antiviral Surface Protection of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS)-Appended Hybrid Surface Materials

Rapid technological advancement has led to a growing need for new materials with enhanced properties to meet the demands of emerging applications. Traditional single-component materials often fail to meet the required demands, pushing the exploration of new composite materials. In these contexts, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) as hybrid nanomaterials exhibit excellent mechanical, thermal and chemical stability, making them ideal for advanced material design. In addition, their hydrophobic nature and ability to be functionalized enable antimicrobial properties with enhanced resistance to microbial adhesion. Compared to hybrid nanomaterials, single-component antiviral materials have limitations, including short-term durability and low surface stability. The rationale for developing the POSS-stearic acid hybrid composite is based on the ability to form a rigid nanocage framework of POSS, which provides structural robustness and enhanced stability. We show that by combining POSS with stearic acid, the hybrid material displays greater hydrophobicity than its individual components, making it an effective surface coating material that prevents the attachment of microbial pathogens, including viruses, such as human coronavirus-OC43 (HCoV-OC43) and Type A influenza virus (H1N1). We provide evidence that the present material not only serves as a barrier to viral attachment to the surface but also significantly reduces viral infectivity, possibly through direct neutralization, thereby offering a promising strategy for mitigating surface-mediated transmission of respiratory viruses.