Antiviral Surface Coatings: From Pandemic Lessons to Visible-Light-Activated Films

The increasing need for effective antiviral strategies has led to the development
of innovative surface coatings to combat the transmission of viruses via fomites. The aim of
this review is to critically assess the efficacy of antiviral coatings in mitigating virus transmission,
particularly those activated by visible light. The alarm created by the COVID-19
pandemic, including the initial uncertainty about the mechanisms of its spread, attracted
attention to fomites as a possible source of virus transmission. However, later research
has shown that surface-dependent infection mechanisms need to be carefully evaluated
experimentally. By briefly analyzing virus–surface interactions and their implications,
this review highlights the importance of shifting to innovative solutions. In particular,
visible-light-activated antiviral coatings that use reactive oxygen species such as singlet
oxygen to disrupt viral components have emerged as promising options. These coatings
can allow for obtaining safe, continuous, and long-term active biocidal surfaces suitable for
various applications, including healthcare environments and public spaces. This review
indicates that while the significance of fomite transmission is context-dependent, advances
in material science provide actionable pathways for designing multifunctional, visiblelight-
activated antiviral coatings. These innovations align with the lessons learned from the
COVID-19 pandemic and pave the way for sustainable, broad-spectrum antiviral solutions
capable of addressing future public health challenges.