Bioinspired Supramolecular Slippery Organogels for Controlling Pathogen Spread by Respiratory Droplets |
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Authors: | Zhaoyue Wang Bo Yi Mandi Wu Dong Lv Ming-Liang He Meijin Liu Xi Yao |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China;2. Institute of Biomedical & Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen, China |
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Abstract: | Surface-deposited pathogens are sources for the spread of infectious diseases. Protecting public facilities with a replaceable or recyclable antifouling coating is a promising approach to control pathogen transmission. However, most antifouling coatings are less effective in preventing pathogen-contained respiratory droplets because these tiny droplets are difficult to repel, and the deposited pathogens can remain viable from hours to days. Inspired by mucus, an antimicrobial supramolecular organogel for the control of microdroplet-mediated pathogen spread is developed. The developed organogel coating harvests a couple of unique features including localized molecular control-release, readily damage healing, and persistent fouling-release properties, which are preferential for antifouling coating. Microdroplets deposited on the organogel surfaces will be spontaneously wrapped with a thin liquid layer, and will therefore be disinfected rapidly due to a mechanism of spatially enhanced release of bactericidal molecules. Furthermore, the persistent fouling-release and damage-healing properties will significantly extend the life-span of the coating, making it promising for diverse applications. |
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Keywords: | antimicrobial organogels respiratory microdroplets self-healing slippery coating |
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