NAINITAL: A team of faculty members from the Chemistry department of the Kumaun University and researchers from ABV-IIITM Gwalior has developed an anti-viral coating for surfaces using graphene, which is known to have anti-viral properties, generated from waste plastic.
The team, headed by university professor Nanda Gopal Sahoo, has been granted a patent for the "graphene soap-based spray paint", which they claim is "first of its kind, cheap and effective in the killing of several viruses, including coronavirus." The patent was issued by the central government's patent office earlier this week. Sahoo said the paint could be especially useful in protecting public places from viruses. "It has been reported that viruses exist for up to two weeks, depending on the type of surface. Therefore, open surfaces need to be urgently protected for a long time to stop the spread of deadly viruses," Sahoo said.
He added that the material works on a "trap and kill mechanism". "The paint contains graphene, special kinds of fatty acids including soap, zinc oxide and titanium-oxide-based nanoparticles, apart from some patented components. The material not only protects surfaces from coming in contact with viruses, but also kills the viruses already present and stops their mutation," the professor claimed.
He added that as the graphene present in the product is extracted from discarded plastic, it is very cost-effective. "While so far it has only been laboratory-tested, industrial-scale testing is underway, for which the inventors have asked for funds. It is the first-of-its kind spray paint, made completely in India. The formulation of the paint can be varied according to the nature of the surface. It can easily be used in public transport, hospitals, offices, schools and other public spaces to which people come into direct contact," he said, adding once the funding is received, the product can be manufactured on a wide scale and be made available for public use.
