Polymeric surfaces with biocidal action: challenges imposed by the SARS-CoV-2, technologies employed, and future perspectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that hygiene habits reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on contaminated surfaces. In this context, compounds with biocidal properties can act as surface coatings, especially in hospital environments, a source of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to report an overview of recent studies with biocidal agents, focusing on polymeric surface modification. Methods such as direct incorporation, direct deposition, and chemical deposition of the microbial agent on the polymeric surface and surface modification without a microbial agent were discussed. Despite several studies in the literature, antimicrobial materials still face challenges such as commercialization, material stability in post-processing, and guarantee of long cycles. Moreover, effectiveness, toxicity, and final cost must be balanced. We also discussed the concept of antiviral activity and the action mode of the materials. Inorganic, organic materials, nanocomposites, and biopolymers have been addressed as viral inhibitors of several diseases. Lastly, we explored the functional validation of polymeric surface through characterization techniques.