Superhydrophobic Surfaces to Combat Bacterial Surface Colonization

The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the accelerating rise of deaths associated with antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains have highlighted global health economic threats caused by super spreading pathogens. A major route transmission for pathogens is via surfaces contaminated touch or droplets generated sneezing coughing. Current surface disinfection strategies are having diminishing efficacy, due to increasing number superbugs short-lasting effect disinfectants resulting in recontamination. New inhibiting surface-mediated pathogen focus significant multi-disciplinary efforts. Among those, development superhydrophobic (SHS) increasingly regarded as a powerful alternative, additive, antimicrobial strategies. SHS provide neutral/inert interface that can prevent viral colonization. Here, use such water-repellent coatings critically reviewed impede pathogens, addressing challenges future directions their translation into real-world settings.