Nanoscale copper and silver thin film systems display differences in antiviral and antibacterial properties

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 7193
• Main Authors: Meister, Toni Luise, Fortmann, Jill, Breisch, Marina, Sengstock, Christina, Steinmann, Eike, Köller, Manfred, Pfaender, Stephanie, Ludwig, Alfred
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 03.05.2022; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 639/301; 692/699/255; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antiviral activity; Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Bacterial diseases; Copper; Copper - chemistry; Copper - pharmacology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease transmission; Electrochemistry; Health risks; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; multidisciplinary; Pandemics; Prevention; SARS-CoV-2; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Silver; Silver - chemistry; Silver - pharmacology; Thin films
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11212-w

The current Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has exemplified the need for simple and efficient prevention strategies that can be rapidly implemented to mitigate infection risks. Various surfaces have a long history of antimicrobial properties and are well described for the prevention of bacterial infections. However, their effect on many viruses has not been studied in depth. In the context of COVID-19, several surfaces, including copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) coatings have been described as efficient antiviral measures that can easily be implemented to slow viral transmission. In this study, we detected antiviral properties against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) on surfaces, which were coated with Cu by magnetron sputtering as thin Cu films or as Cu/Ag ultrathin bimetallic nanopatches. However, no effect of Ag on viral titers was observed, in clear contrast to its well-known antibacterial properties. Further enhancement of Ag ion release kinetics based on an electrochemical sacrificial anode mechanism did not increase antiviral activity. These results clearly demonstrate that Cu and Ag thin film systems display significant differences in antiviral and antibacterial properties which need to be considered upon implementation.