The presentation describes recent studies aimed at elucidating physicochemical bases of virus adhesion to fomites. Adhesion of human viruses (enveloped and non-enveloped), bacteriophages and inorganic colloids onto several "archetypal" surfaces is predicted using the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory and experimentally assessed in tests with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. The results are interpreted based on physicochemical properties of viruses and fomites. The surfaces are typified on the basis of their surface energy components including the dispersive (Lifshitz-van der Waals) component and two polar (electron donor and electron acceptor) components. Surfaces include household paints, common polymers, polyelectrolyte multilayers, ceramics, and passivated metals. The studies employ different deposition solutions including high ionic strength electrolytes as a model respiratory fluid. We show that hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions govern virus attachment while van der Waals interactions play a relatively minor role. In higher ionic strength solutions, the extent of virus attachment correlates with the free energy of virus-paint interfacial interaction. The proposed methodology can guide screening and selection of materials that discourage virus adhesion. The information on the efficiency of virus attachment to materials as a function of their surface energy components can help design anti-adhesive surfaces, develop surface cleaning solutions and protocols, and inform transport and fate models for viruses in indoor environments.

Virus adhesion to fomites

ACS Fall 2021

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