Nanostructured composite coating endowed with antiviral activity against human respiratory viruses deposited on fibre-based air filters

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology Vol. 409; p. 126873
• Main Authors: Balagna, C., Francese, R., Perero, S., Lembo, D., Ferraris, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Elsevier B.V 15-03-2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Air conditioning; Air filter; Air filters; Antiviral; Coating; Cotton; COVID-19; Disease control; HVAC; HVAC equipment; Indoor environments; Microorganisms; Nano-silver; Nanoclusters; Nanostructure; Respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory viruses; Silicon dioxide; Silver; Sputtered coatings; Textiles; Viruses; Respiratory viruses; Antiviral; Nano-silver; Air filter; Sputtered coatings
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2021.126873

The widespread of viral airborne diseases is becoming a critical problem for human health and safety, not only for the common cold and flu, but also considering more serious infection as the current pandemic COVID-19. Even if the current heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems limit the disease transmission by air, the air filters are susceptible to microbial colonization. In addition, viruses spread via droplets (aerosol) produced by direct or indirect contact with infected people. In this context, the necessity of an efficient HVAC system, able to capture and inactivate viruses- and bacteria-rich aerosols, thus preserving a safe indoor air environment and protecting people, is of enormous importance. The aim of this work is the assessment of the antiviral properties of a silver nanoclusters/silica composite coating deposited via co-sputtering technique on glass, on metallic fibre-based air filters as well as on cotton textiles. The selected human respiratory viruses are: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the human rhinovirus (HRV) and the influenza virus type A (FluVA). The coated air filters show that the nanostructured coating develops a strong virucidal activity against RSV and FluVA, but not against the HRV.
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•Nanostructured composite coating was deposited on air filter via co-sputtering.•The coating is composed of silver nanoclusters in a silica matrix.•The antiviral properties of the composite coating were assessed.•The three viruses are selected among human respiratory viruses.