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Self-sterilizing polymers can inactivate COVID-19

This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (round gold objects) emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. [Image credit: NIAID-RML]

 

 

 

 

By Matt Shipman, NC State

Researchers from North Carolina State University (NC State), Boston University, and Kraton Corp. have demonstrated a family of self-sterilizing polymers that are effective at inactivating coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19. The work opens the door to a suite of applications that could help to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases.

"Our work here provides conclusive evidence that these materials, anionic polymers, can inactivate human coronaviruses quickly and efficiently," said Richard Spontak, co-author of a paper on the work accepted for publication in Advanced Science. Spontak is a Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and a professor of materials science and engineering at NC State.

"If we want to coat high-contact surfaces such as textiles, countertops, or walls, it's possible," said Frank Scholle, co-author of the paper and an associate professor of biological sciences at NC State. "Virus inactivation will occur as long as there is sufficient humidity." Scholle is also director of NC State's Center for Advanced Virus Experimentation (CAVE).

When these anionic polymers absorb water, protons can travel through nanoscale channels to the surface, creating a highly acidic environment capable of inactivating viruses and killing bacteria and mold. The research team had previously demonstrated that several of the anionic polymers were effective against a range of pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and a strain of influenza.

To get a little more specific, the researchers explained that the polymer's antimicrobial properties stem from its unique molecular architecture, which attracts water to a sequence of repeat units that are chemically modified (or functionalized) with sulfonic acid groups.

"When microbes come into contact with the polymer, water on the surface of the microbes interacts with the sulfonic acid functional groups in the polymer -- creating an acidic solution that quickly kills the bacteria," said Reza Ghiladi, an associate professor of chemistry at NC State. "These acidic solutions can be made more or less powerful by controlling the number of sulfonic acid functional groups in the polymer."

"Based on what we've learned, we've been able to identify a fundamentally new inactivation mechanism and a family of polymers that expands the healthcare sector's arsenal for fighting the spread of coronavirus," Spontak said.

In laboratory experiments, the researchers demonstrated that specific anionic polymers could fully inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in just 5 minutes, and fully inactivate a human coronavirus surrogate called HCoV-229E in 20 minutes.

Kraton Corp. is in the process of evaluating applications for how some of these polymers might be used in a variety of settings.

"Building upon this scientific discovery, Kraton Corporation is actively seeking regulatory approvals and evaluating application uses in transportation, healthcare, and building and infrastructure," said Vijay Mhetar, Kraton's chief technology officer.

The paper, "Rapid and Repetitive Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and Human Coronavirus on Self-Disinfecting Anionic Polymers," was published online Feb. 9. Co-first authors of the paper are Bharadwaja Peddinti, a former Ph.D. student at NC State, and Sierra Downs of Boston University. The paper was co-authored by Jiaqi Yan, a Ph.D. student at NC State; Reza Ghiladi, an associate professor of chemistry at NC State and member of CAVE; Anthony Griffiths, an associate professor of microbiology and member of the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories at Boston University; Steven Smith of The Procter & Gamble Company; and Vijay Mhetar and Roger Tocchetto of Kraton Corporation.

Published February 2021

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