Polymer-encapsulated copper-based nanoparticles: synthesis and evaluation of surface coatings for reduction of COVID-19 transmission

冠状病毒可以通过污染干燥的表面传播，根据表面材料的不同，它们可以持续几个小时到几天。清洁高接触表面，如门把手和电梯按钮，是对抗感染的关键因素。我们的目标是通过提供一种连续消毒表面的涂层来帮助减少疾病的传播，定期清洁。 铜是一种众所周知的抗菌剂，据报道，SARS-CoV 2在铜表面上的持续时间比在其他表面上要短。然而，并不是所有的东西都可以由铜制成。我们的方法是将重点放在悬浮在水中的铜基纳米颗粒上，作为喷雾涂层，有效地为消毒提供铜源。 在这个项目中，我们将研究各种铜基聚合物包裹的纳米颗粒，这些纳米颗粒将使用我们基于反离子聚合物坍塌的方法来制备。我们将合成由铜、铜合金和铜化合物组成的纳米颗粒。这些材料将测试它们在大肠杆菌上的作用，这将作为SARS-CoV 2的模型系统。然后将创建包含各种纳米颗粒的涂层配方。塑料和玻璃表面将被涂覆，并测试它们对大肠杆菌的灭活能力。我们的合作伙伴Vive植保在纳米材料合成和配方方面拥有专业知识，并在铜在农业中的应用方面拥有经验。他们将提供技术方面的援助，以及产业视角和监管问题的知识，使这种潜在的产品能够进入市场。

Corona viruses can be transmitted by contamination of dry surfaces where they can persist for hours to days depending on the surface material. Cleaning high touch surfaces, such as doorknobs and elevator buttons, are key elements in the fight against infection. Our goal is to help reduce transmission of the disease by providing a coating that will continuously disinfect the surface in-between regular cleaning. Copper is a long known antimicrobial, and it has been reported that SARS-CoV 2 persists for less time on copper than on other surfaces. However, not everything can be made of copper. Our approach is to focus on copper-based nanoparticles suspended in water, to be used as a spray coating, effectively providing a source of copper for disinfection. In this project, we will investigate various copper-based polymer-encapsulated nanoparticles that will be made using our approach based on counter-ion polymer collapse. We will synthesize nanoparticles made of copper, copper alloys and copper compounds. These materials will be tested for their action on E. coli, which will serve as a model system for SARS-CoV 2. A coating formulation incorporating the various nanoparticles will then be created. Plastic and glass surfaces will be coated, and tested for their ability to inactivate E. coli. Our partner Vive Crop Protection has expertise in nanomaterials synthesis and formulation, and has experience with copper in its application to agriculture. They will provide assistance with the technology as well as an industrial perspective and knowledge of the regulatory issues to enable this potential product to enter the market.