Copper Oxide (CuO) Antiviral Treatment

Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (50–200 nm) incorporated into synthetic fiber matrices during melt spinning (0.5–2.0% w/w) or applied via padding (200–500 ppm Cu on fabric) provide durable antiviral activity through Cu²⁺ release and ROS generation. ISO 18184 testing demonstrates >4 log reduction of influenza A (H1N1), >3.5 log of SARS-CoV-2, and >3 log of norovirus within 30–60 min contact. Cu²⁺ ions attack viral lipid envelope, spike protein, and RNA strand simultaneously. Fiber-embedded CuO persists through 250+ washes; surface-applied treatments last 50–75 cycles. CuO concentration of 0.5–2 mg Cu/g fabric is below WHO copper toxicity threshold of 2 mg/L in wash water. Commercially deployed in Cupron scrubs used in 150+ hospitals across the USA and Israel.