
Coated fiber. Image: Vi Khanh Truong
An international team of researchers used liquid gallium to create an antiviral and antimicrobial coating and tested it on a range of fabrics, including facemasks. The coating adhered more strongly to fabric than some conventional metal coatings, and eradicated 99% of several common pathogens within five minutes.
“Microbes can survive on the fabrics hospitals use for bedding, clothing and face masks for a long time,” says Michael Dickey, co-corresponding author of a paper on the work and Camille & Henry Dreyfus Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University. “Metallic surface coatings such as copper or silver are an effective way to eradicate these pathogens, but many metal particle coating technologies have issues such as non-uniformity, processing complexity, or poor adhesion.”
Dickey and colleagues from NC State, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in Korea and RMIT University in Australia set out to develop a simple, cost-effective way to deposit metal coatings on fabric.
First, the researchers placed liquid gallium (Ga) into an ethanol solution and used sound waves – a process known as sonication – to create Ga nanoparticles. The nanoparticle solution was then spray coated onto the fabric and the Ga adhered to the fibers as the ethanol evaporated.
Then the researchers dipped the Ga-coated fabric into a copper sulfate solution, creating a spontaneous galvanic replacement reaction. The reaction deposits copper onto the fabric, creating a coating of liquid metal copper alloy nanoparticles.
To test the coated fabric’s antimicrobial properties, the research team exposed the fabric to three common microbes: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. These microbes grow aggressively on non-coated fabrics. The copper alloy coated fabric eradicated over 99% of the pathogens within five minutes, which was significantly more effective than control samples coated with only copper.
The team collaborated with Elisa Crisci, assistant professor of virology at NC State, and Frank Scholle, associate professor of biological sciences at NC State, to show that the coatings also work against viruses. The coatings were tested against human influenza (H1N1) and coronavirus (HCoV 229E, which is in the same family as SARS-CoV-2). The coatings eradicated the viruses after five minutes.
“Our tests indicate that these liquid metal-copper coated fabrics demonstrate superior antimicrobial performance compared to other copper coated surfaces and two commercial antimicrobial facemasks that rely on copper and silver respectively,” says Vi Khanh Truong, Vice Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow at RMIT University, visiting Fulbright Scholar and co-corresponding author of the research.
“This is a better method for generating metal coatings of fabrics, particularly for antimicrobial applications, both in terms of adhesion and antimicrobial performance,” says Ki Yoon Kwon, postdoctoral associate at SKKU and first author of the work.
“It could also work with metals other than copper, such as silver,” says Tae-il Kim, co-corresponding author of the research and professor at SKKU. “It is also a simple method, which should be relatively straightforward to scale up for mass production.”
Original Article: Liquid Metal Coating Creates Effective Antiviral, Antimicrobial Fabric
More from: North Carolina State University | Sungkyunkwan University | Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
The Latest on: Antiviral fabric
- Bouffant Caps Market, Industry Improvement Status and Outlook till 2026on May 26, 2022 at 2:10 am
woven polypropylene material and available in one-layer breathable spunbond fabric, as well as three ... Sterile and Antiviral Packaging Market – The currently emerging problem of COVID-19 ...
- Antiviral Coatings Market [PROFIT] 2022 Overview, Demand, New Opportunities & SWOT Analysis by 2030on May 23, 2022 at 11:35 pm
Antiviral Coatings Market Status ... It is an anti-microbial coating for fabrics, metals, concrete, and plastics, which aims to restrict the virus spread.
- You asked, we’re answering: Your top questions about Covid-19 and vaccineson May 23, 2022 at 5:00 pm
“The 3 options are antiviral pills (paxlovid and molnupiravir ... But cloths masks should have nose wires and multiple layers of fabric that can block light “when held up to bright light ...
- Tonix Pharmaceuticals Extends Research Collaboration with the University of Alberta to Develop Antiviral Drugs Against SARS-CoV-2on May 18, 2022 at 9:13 am
“Antiviral therapeutics are needed to mitigate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 and future coronavirus outbreaks, and Professor Hobman’s work is designed to facilitate the identification and testing of novel ...
- Prolexus’ fabric mask is now Malaysia’s first-ever SIRIM-certifiedon May 10, 2022 at 10:32 pm
It has also been tested to be >99% effective in its antiviral function against coronavirus ... its working partner in setting the standards on fabric mask in Malaysia. Both SIRIM and Prolexus ...
- Antiviral Properties of UMF’s Polymer Additive Confirmed by Leading CROon May 9, 2022 at 5:00 pm
The broad antiviral properties of the Micrillon polymer additive developed ... The patented cleaning products feature built-in antimicrobial protection generated by the fabric’s structure. UMF’s ...
- Privacy Curtains That Safeguard Against HAIs, Reduce Hazardous Waste, and Provide Financial Returnon May 3, 2022 at 5:33 am
LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sereneview Armor curtains embed AEGIS Microbe Shield® into the fabric to prevent hospital-acquired infections. AEGIS® is a durable, non-leaching full ...
- Pfizer's COVID-19 Antiviral Pill Fails To Prevent Post Exposure Infection In Household Memberson May 2, 2022 at 6:55 am
Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) said a large trial found that its COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment Paxlovid was ineffective at preventing the infection in people exposed to the virus. The trial enrolled ...
- Fabric that kills virus in 30 minson April 29, 2022 at 3:06 am
Market research by Team Fabiosys indicates that the cost-effective novel chemical formulation and unique textile processing technology make Fabium an extremely affordable antiviral fabric.” ...
- iFabric Provides Update on EPA Claims Submission Processon April 22, 2022 at 7:22 am
Its two strategic divisions offer a variety of products and services through wholly-owned subsidiaries, namely, Intelligent Fabric Technologies ... properties include antiviral and antibacterial ...
via Bing News
The Latest on: Antiviral fabric
via Google News
Add Comment