Revolutionizing infection control in ICUs: photocatalytic binder materials with platinum nanoparticles

We present maintenance-free, spray-applied binder materials that photocatalytically form and permanently adhere uniformly distributed platinum nanoparticles on solid and textile surfaces, enabling instantaneous viral inactivation. Authorized third-party evaluations (Japan Textile Products Quality and Technology Center, September 2021 and April 2024) under ISO 18184:2019 demonstrated 99.97% (1–10^-3.6) reduction for Influenza A and 99.9% (1–10^-3.0) for Feline Calicivirus in 15 s; 99.94% (1–10^-3.2) against SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in 2021. The binder ensures even nanoparticle formation without agglomerates and durable adhesion, outperforming materials requiring frequent replacement. This approach targets contact surfaces, droplets, and aerosols, complementing but surpassing HEPA filters that lack instant inactivation and impose maintenance burdens. The technology promises improved infection control for ICUs and hospitals, with added benefits in sustainability, cost reduction, and straightforward deployment.