In public places, people frequently touch various surfaces, which contributes to the spread of viruses. Viruses can adapt to survive longer on objects, and experts are developing methods to eliminate them that are safe for humans. Recently, a team of biochemists created a plastic coating with antiviral properties.

Virus Persistence on Surfaces

Microorganisms and viruses can remain viable on surfaces such as tables, handrails, packaging, and phones for several hours or even days. Touching these objects and then touching your face can lead to infection.

Limitations of Traditional Disinfection Methods

Maintaining good hygiene reduces the risk of illness but does not always provide complete protection. Chemical surface treatments also have drawbacks: active substances can be washed away or worn off, may not destroy all bacteria, and can contribute to the emergence of strains resistant to disinfectants.

A New Approach: Physical Destruction of Viruses

Researchers have developed a plastic coating that works not chemically, but physically—it destroys viruses through mechanical action. The effectiveness of this coating was confirmed on human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3), which causes bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

Biomimetics: Inspired by Nature

The development was inspired by the wings of cicadas and dragonflies, which have self-cleaning and bactericidal properties. These wings are covered with nanostructures that not only repel bacteria but also destroy them. Previously, similar coatings were made from silicon, but this material is difficult to use on objects with complex shapes.

Coating Technology

To address this, researchers chose a flexible plastic. They created an acrylic film with thousands of nanopillars ranging from 60 to 320 nanometers in height, using a mold made from anodized aluminum oxide and ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. These nanopillars grip the virus’s outer shell and stretch it until it ruptures, leading to the mechanical destruction of the virus. Within an hour, the coating destroyed 94% of hPIV-3 virus particles.

Key Effectiveness Parameters

The most effective results were achieved with a dense arrangement of nanopillars spaced about 60 nanometers apart and approximately 85 nanometers high.

Application Prospects

The nanostructured coating is simple and inexpensive to produce, feels smooth to the touch, and does not alter the tactile sensation of the surface. It is expected that such a coating could be widely applied to phone screens and medical equipment to help prevent the spread of viruses.