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