Phys.org December 9, 2021
SARS-CoV-2 exhibits strong stability on conventional stainless steel (SS) surface, with infectious virus detected even after two days. Researchers in Hong Kong investigated the stabilities of SARS-CoV-2, H1N1 influenza A virus (H1N1), and Escherichia coli (E.coli) on the surfaces of Cu-contained (SS), pure Cu, Ag-contained SS, and pure Ag. They found that pure Ag and Ag-contained SS surfaces do not display apparent inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1. In comparison, both pure Cu and Cu-contained SS with a high Cu content exhibit significant antiviral properties. Anti-pathogen SS with 20 wt% Cu can distinctly reduce 99.75% and 99.99% of viable SARS-CoV-2 on its surface within 3 and 6 h, respectively. It also exhibits an excellent inactivation ability for H1N1 influenza A virus (H1N1), and Escherichia coli (E.coli). Interestingly, the Cu ion concentration released from the anti-pathogen SS with 10 wt% and 20 wt% Cu was notably higher than the Ag ion concentration released from Ag and the Ag-contained SS. Elevator buttons made of the present anti-pathogen SS are produced using mature powder metallurgy technique, demonstrating its potential applications in public areas, and fighting the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens via surface touching…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Abstract. Credit: Chemical Engineering Journal, 25 November 2021 133783Â