Antiviral Materials and Coatings

Antimicrobial surfaces are well established; even in ancient times, copper vessels were known to reduce infections from drinking water. In modern times, particle, polymer, monolayer, and other coatings have been developed to combat a variety of microbes including bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and algae. Of these, probably the least studied is antiviral surfaces and coatings. However, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, antiviral coatings are now assuming greater importance. Recently, copper and copper oxide have been shown to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus for COVID-19.

This special topic will discuss materials that inactivate viruses including SARS-CoV-2. A variety of topics will be included: new coatings, measurement of the inactivation of viruses by coatings, the mechanisms of inactivating the viruses, fabrication and stability of materials and coatings, and nanostructuring and alloying.

Papers will be published as normal when they are ready, in a regular issue of the journal, and will populate on a virtual collection page within a few days of publication. Inclusion in the collection will not cause delay in publication.