Engineering antiviral properties in cotton: Agents, methods, and future directions

Cotton is a commonly used natural fibre in textiles, and it possesses the advantages of breathability, absorbency and biocompatibility. However, raw cotton is susceptible to microbes. thus having the potential to serve as vector for pathogen transmission, particularly in hospital environment. Recent efforts have been directed to impart antiviral characteristics to cotton, by incorporating various agents—such as metallic nanoparticles, quaternary ammonium compounds, and natural extracts—using suitable surface modification approaches. This review provides a detailed overview of the properties, recent trends, and ongoing research activities revolving around the antiviral finishes on cotton. The agents operate through several mechanisms: preventing viral attachment, disrupting the viral envelope, stopping replication, and generating reactive oxygen species. The insightful discussion about the strategies to make wash resistant and safe antiviral finishes by methods as deposition of nanoparticles, polymer and silane-functionalization, click chemistry, and bioengineered peptides paves the way for upcoming researchers. Advanced characterization and standard evaluation depicts the effectiveness, durability, biocompatibility of these textile materials. Adopted for healthcare, PPE, public space, and advanced functional textiles applications, the antiviral cotton extends the scope of UV-treatment technologies from defense against specific viruses and pathogens to general antiviral protection, and opens the door to sustainable, high-performance infection control materials.