review · Microorganisms
Microbial infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi present major global health concerns. Conventional disinfection approaches work effectively but depend on frequent chemical use, which creates risks of antimicrobial resistance and environmental harm. Photodynamic self-disinfecting surfaces offer an alternative approach. These materials integrate photosensitisers that generate reactive oxygen species upon exposure to light, eliminating harmful pathogens. The approach functions across a wide variety of photosensitisers and light sources suitable for diverse settings. These surfaces show broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and offer continuous protection without the need for repeated chemical treatments. Despite these advantages, the technology has specific limitations that require further development to address persisting challenges in infection control.
Chemical disinfectants often require constant reapplication and can drive microbial resistance while harming the environment. Light-activated surfaces offer an alternative by continuously eliminating harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi upon exposure to light. Understanding the mechanisms, benefits, and current limitations of this approach is vital for designing safer, longer-lasting hygiene solutions in environments prone to infectious outbreaks.
The technology enables self-sanitising materials that reduce the need for manual chemical cleaning, offering potential applications for facility managers, healthcare providers, and public infrastructure operators. Because the underlying technology encompasses diverse photosensitisers, light sources, and known operational limitations, it appears to be at an early to developmental stage, requiring further technological refinement before widespread deployment.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Microbial infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi pose significant global health threats in diverse environments. While conventional disinfection methods are effective, their reliance on frequent chemical applications raises concerns about resistance and environmental impact. Photodynamic self-disinfecting surfaces have emerged as a promising alternative. These surfaces incorporate photosensitizers that, when exposed to light, produce reactive oxygen species to target and eliminate microbial pathogens. This review explores the concept and mechanism of photodynamic self-disinfecting surfaces, highlighting the variety and characteristics of photosensitizers integrated into surfaces and the range of light sources used across different applications. It also highlights the effectiveness of these surfaces against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while also discussing their potential for providing continuous antimicrobial protection without frequent reapplication. Additionally, the review addresses both the advantages and limitations associated with photodynamic self-disinfecting surfaces and concludes with future perspectives on advancing this technology to meet ongoing challenges in infection control.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12081573
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
