Scientists Create Superbug-Killing Paint For Hospitals

Keeping surfaces free from bacteria is a perennial challenge in hospitals, but a new superbug-killing paint looks set to help make the task easier.

In a breakthrough with wide-reaching implications for infection control, scientists at England's University of Nottingham have developed a new paint-on coating that kills harmful bacteria and viruses on contact, including stubborn pathogens like MRSA, influenza, and even Covid-19.

This unique substance, developed by academics from the School of Pharmacy at the university and tested with coatings manufacturer Indestructible Paint, may provide a straightforward and functional means of lowering surface-related infections in hospitals, public transport, and other areas, reports Interesting Engineering.

At the core of this antimicrobial breakthrough is chlorhexidine, a disinfectant drug commonly used in dental treatments and pre-surgical cleaning. Researchers embedded this compound within a paintable resin, creating a surface coating that becomes immediately active once dry, killing bacteria without leaching or losing effectiveness through touch.

“It’s hugely exciting to see this research being applied in a practical way. In our initial research, we incorporated the disinfectant into the polymer to create a new antimicrobial paint, which has excellent efficacy; it also doesn’t spread into the environment or leach from the surface when touched,” said Felicity de Cogan, the study lead.

The paint can be applied to a range of plastic and hard non-porous surfaces to provide an antimicrobial coating, researchers said. Their findings have been published in the journal Scientific Reports.