Light-activated antimicrobial coatings for surface disinfection and chemical oxidation
Photodynamic coatings that use visible light to continuously disinfect surfaces and oxidize chemicals, odors, VOCs, and pathogens. Applied to both hard non-porous and soft porous surfaces, these affordable coatings achieve 99.9-99.9999% inactivation of bacteria, viruses, and fungi within 5-60 minutes, without releasing reactive oxygen species into the air.
Overview
This solution offers turnkey photodynamic antimicrobial coatings designed for continuous surface disinfection and oxidation of chemicals, odors, VOCs, and pathogens. The coatings generate surface-localized reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to visible light, enabling rapid and efficient inactivation of a wide range of pathogens including human coronavirus, influenza, E. coli, and MRSA/staph. Unlike conventional disinfection approaches, the ROS remain at the surface rather than being released into the surrounding air, making the technology safe for occupied environments. The coatings are formulated for affordability and can be applied to both hard non-porous surfaces and soft porous substrates, with potential for use on filters and other high-surface-area materials.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Visible-light-activated photodynamic action generates surface-localized singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species
- Inactivates 99.9-99.9999% of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses (including human coronavirus), and fungi within 5-60 minutes of exposure at modest light intensities
- Compatible with hard non-porous surfaces, soft porous surfaces, polymer coatings, and bulk polymer incorporation
- Can be formulated using inexpensive, commercially available photosensitizers with established FDA/EPA registration histories
- Continuous disinfection activity under ambient or modest visible-light conditions
- Additional capability to oxidize volatiles, chemicals, and odors on contact
Technology readiness level
The technology has been validated through 15+ peer-reviewed publications demonstrating photodynamic molecules and nanoparticles that generate singlet oxygen upon visible-light exposure and inactivate pathogens on coated polymer surfaces. Published results include demonstrated efficacy against human coronavirus and multiple bacterial strains. The coatings have been developed with affordability in mind and are ready for translation into commercial products. Future validation will focus on formulating photoactive coatings using commercially registered photosensitizers and demonstrating oxidation of volatiles, chemicals, and odors on filters and high-surface-area substrates.
About North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University is a large, comprehensive public land‑grant research university in Raleigh. Its on‑campus research and technology park co‑locates corporate R&D groups, government partners, and faculty labs, enabling shared facilities, prototyping, and agile contracting. Located in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, partners tap a dense regional ecosystem while engaging through a statewide extension network and a mature co‑op program that deliver field deployment and workforce pipelines. Multiple pilot and demonstration facilities support scale‑up and validation toward pre‑commercial readiness. Research is supported by competitive funding from major federal agencies, including NSF, USDA, DOE, and DOD, and a dedicated technology transfer office with clear IP pathways helps accelerate commercialization.
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