Disinfectants role in the prevention of spreading the COVID-19 and other infectious diseases: The need for functional polymers!

Abstract

The spreading of coronavirus through droplets and aerosols of an infected person is a well-known mechanism. The main protection methods from this virus are using disinfectants/sanitizers, face masks, keeping social distance, and vaccination. With the rapid mutations of the virus accompanied by its features and contagions changing, new advanced functional materials development is highly needed. The usage of disinfectants/sanitizers in excess generates poisonous effects among the general public. Effective and simultaneously, human-friendly sanitizers or disinfectants are required to prevent the poisoning and the associated issues. They minimize the toxic effects of the currently available materials by rapid action, high potential, long-term stability, and excellent biocompatible nature. Here, we summarize the available antiviral materials, their features, and their limitations. We highlight the need to develop an arsenal of advanced functional antiviral polymers with intrinsic bioactive functionalities or released bioactive moieties in a controlled manner for rapid and long-term actions for current and future anticipated viral outbreaks.

Keywords: COVID‐19; antimicrobial polymers; disinfectants; surface coatings.

FIGURE 1

(A) SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) spreading status around the globe on September 1, 2020. The toll passed over 400 million confirmed cases and more than 5.8 million deaths recently. (B) An illustration of the possible infection mechanisms and the spreading potential of a single infecting individual and the persistence of the virus among each element. Source: Created with BioRender.com

FIGURE 2

Disinfectant divided by action mechanisms: (1) inactivation through the alternation of pH, (2) inactivation through electrical charge disruption and instability, (3) membrane oxidation, and (4) disruption of the membrane lipidic layer. Source: Created with BioRender.com

FIGURE 3

Various antiviral polymeric classes based on their mechanism of action

FIGURE 4

(A) Chemical formulas of the polymers used in this study. Carboxylates (in red): poly(acrylic acid), PAA; poly(methacrylic acid), PMAA; poly(ethylacrylic acid), PEAA; poly(propylacrylic acid); PPAA, poly(vinylbenzoic acid), PVBzA. Phosphates/phosphonates (in green): poly(vinylphosphonic acid), PVPA; poly([2‐methacrylamidoethyl]phosphonic acid), PMPA; poly([2‐acrylamidoethyl]phosphonic acid), PAPA; poly([2‐methacrylamidoethyl]phosphate), PMEP; poly([2‐acrylamidoethyl]phosphate), PAEP. Sulfonates (in blue): poly(vinylsulfonic acid), PVSA; poly(3‐sulfopropyl acrylate), PSPA; poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid), PAMPS; poly(vinylbenzenesulfonate), PSVBS. (B) Summary of the maximum antiviral activities of tested polyanions. Source: Adapted from Reference [ ⁴⁵ ], copyright 2017, WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei

FIGURE 5

To obtain specific antiviral functional polymer, libraries of functional polymers with the mentioned structure–property‐activity relationship should be prepared and evaluated