Stops viruses at the surface

The innovation of this project lies in the creation of coatings that are highly resistant and have long-lasting antiviral efficacy and can be applied to existing surfaces at any time, even retrospectively.

Due to the recent pandemic, it is important to keep the viral load on surfaces as low as possible.

Studies on different materials have shown that halving the surface colonisation with SARS-COVID-19 can take more than 16 hours. Consequently, it makes sense to create antiviral surfaces that immediately reduce or kill viruses.

Surface treatments with antiviral properties currently available on the market are mostly based on the gradual release of metal ions, nanoparticulate metal (e.g. silver) or organic active substances. This means that the active substances are consumed over time and the coatings must be renewed after a certain period. Another negative effect is that these active ingredients are released into the environment, where they can have a harmful effect on organisms. The toxicity of silver ions and nanoparticulate silver to aquatic organisms has already been demonstrated in several studies.

Unlike previous products, our photocatalytic approach involves the catalyst being firmly bound in the coating matrix. The antiviral effect is based on the generation of mobile, highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, which react immediately and disintegrate. This means that no environmentally toxic substances are released into the environment. The major advantage is that the materials have a virucidal effect without consuming the catalyst and do not release any harmful substances.

Thanks to the use of newly developed photocatalysts, these can be activated with existing light sources or daylight – special UV light sources are no longer necessary. The activation of the mechanism of action enables the destruction of airborne viruses, for example in aerosols and droplets, as soon as they come into contact with the coated surface during the diffusion process. This significantly reduces the viral load in indoor spaces, such as hospitals or public facilities, to a certain extent.

The project was carried out from 2021 to 2024 in close cooperation with partner companies and the Fraunhofer IPA Institute as part of a funded applied research programme. This cooperation enabled a continuous exchange of ideas and access to the latest scientific findings. It is part of the health technology funding policy for innovation and technology projects under the Invest BW programme.