Antimicrobial Coatings Are on the Front Lines.

• Position: CORONAVIRUS

The coronavirus drastically has changed the perception of hygiene and cleanliness, spurring interest in antimicrobial coatings, according to a report from Lux Research, Boston, Mass. These coatings previously struggled to find widespread adoption due to difficulties in quantifying their impact on human health, but the pandemic has drawn attention to them as an important safety measure.

"COVID-19 has driven substantial interest in antimicrobial coatings and is proving to be a catalyst for antimicrobial research and funding," says research associate Tiffany Hua. "We expect this interest to spike even further and be a trend of continued interest in the materials and coatings industry."

Major manufacturers are talking about incorporating these types of coatings into their products, while startups bring out new antimicrobial coatings for applications like textiles.

However, not all antimicrobial coatings are created equal--some only are effective against bacteria and not necessarily viruses, so users need to choose carefully. "When considering the wide range of solutions used as preventive measures against COVID-19, it is important to understand the limitations of these technologies," explains Hua.

"Metallic antimicrobial agents like silver and copper can be effective against both bacteria and viruses, but ensuring their effectiveness when dispersed in coating matrices still poses challenges."

Other solutions like photocatalytic, enzyme-based, and bio-based coatings also have been shown to be effective against bacteria and viruses.

Light-activated, photocatalytic coatings are on the rise thanks to their self-cleaning functionality and effectiveness against viruses. These coatings use materials like nano-titanium dioxide that absorb UV light and produce reactive radicals that break down organic compounds and pollutants on surfaces.

"Photocatalytic coating developers have historically targeted the elimination of pollution and smog, but COVID-19 has driven...