Rapid and Effective Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by a Cationic Conjugated Oligomer with Visible Light: Studies of Antiviral Activity in Solutions and on Supports

Abstract

This paper presents results of a study of a new cationic oligomer that contains end groups and a chromophore affording inactivation of SARS-Cov-2 by visible light irradiation in solution or as a solid coating on wipes paper and glass fiber filtration substrates. A key finding of this study is that the cationic oligomer with a central thiophene ring and imidazolium charged groups give outstanding performance in both killing of E. coli bacterial cells and inactivation of the virus at very short times. Our introduction of cationic N-Methyl Imidazolium groups enhances the light-activation process for both E. coli and SARS-Cov-2 but dampens the dark killing of the bacteria and eliminates the dark inactivation of the virus. For the studies with this oligomer in solution at concentration of 1 g/mL and E. coli we obtain 3 log killing of the bacteria with 10 min irradiation with LuzChem cool white lights (mimicking indoor illumination). With the oligomer in solution at a concentration of 10 g/mL, we observe 4 logs inactivation (99.99 %) in 5 minutes of irradiation and total inactivation after 10 min. The oligomer is quite active against E. coli on oligomer-coated wipes papers and glass fiber filter supports. The SARS-Cov-2 is also inactivated by the oligomer coated glass fiber filter papers. This study indicates that these oligomer-coated materials may be very useful as wipes and filtration materials.