QAC-Based Antiviral Textile Coating
topic
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC, specifically benzalkonium chloride BAC and didecyldimethylammonium chloride DDAC) are applied to textiles at 0.5–2.0% owf via pad-dry-cure for antiviral contact-kill activity. BAC and DDAC disrupt enveloped virus lipid bilayers at minimum virucidal concentration (MVC) of 0.01–0.1% w/v, achieving >3 log reduction of influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 (ISO 18184) within 5–10 min contact time. Non-enveloped viruses (norovirus, adenovirus) require 10× higher QAC concentrations. EPA List Q (SARS-CoV-2 disinfectants) includes several QAC formulations. Wash durability of 20–30 cycles at 40°C with silane-tethered QAC variants. Increasingly adopted for public transport seating, hotel linens, and face coverings post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Role
Rapid-acting antiviral surface treatment for public-facing hospitality and transport textiles, providing EPA-registered SARS-CoV-2 inactivation on fabric contact surfaces in high-footfall environments with 30-cycle wash durability.