Transparent Hydrogen Boride Nanosheets Offer Potent Protection Against Pathogens.

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against infectious diseases, a team of Japanese researchers has unveiled the potent antimicrobial capabilities of transparent hydrogen boride (HB) nanosheets. These two-dimensional materials, when applied as coatings, effectively neutralize a wide range of pathogens—including viruses, bacteria, and fungi—within minutes and without requiring light activation.

The global health landscape continues to grapple with two major concerns: the emergence of new pandemic threats and the rising tide of antimicrobial resistance fueled by overreliance on antibiotics. Against this backdrop, scientists are urgently exploring innovative materials that can counteract infectious agents in everyday settings.

HB nanosheets, originally developed by Professor Takahiro Kondo and his team at the University of Tsukuba for applications in electronics and energy, are now demonstrating surprising biological potential. While their interactions with living organisms had remained largely unstudied, new research has revealed their broad-spectrum antimicrobial effectiveness.

The study, recently published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry B on April 23, 2025, involved collaboration between several institutions. Contributors included Professor Masahiro Miyauchi and Associate Professor Akira Yamaguchi from the Institute of Science Tokyo, graduate student Andi Mauliana, Professor Kondo of the University of Tsukuba, Professor Takeshi Fujita of Kochi University of Technology, and scientists Dr. Kayano Sunada, Dr. Keiichi Kobayashi, Dr. Takeshi Nagai, and Dr. Hitoshi Ishiguro from the Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology.

Researchers created transparent films by applying a solution of dispersed HB nanosheets onto glass surfaces. When tested against various pathogens, the coated surfaces delivered rapid and effective antimicrobial results. Within just 10 minutes at room temperature, they inactivated SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and feline caliciviruses down to undetectable levels. Similar performance was observed against several bacteriophages, as well as bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and fungi including Aspergillus niger and Penicillium pinophilum.

Further investigation revealed that HB nanosheets disrupt microbial activity by denaturing proteins through strong physicochemical interactions, rather than relying on chemical toxicity or light exposure.

One of the most promising aspects of this technology is its practicality. Unlike metal-based antimicrobials, which can leach and are often opaque, or photocatalytic coatings that need UV light, HB nanosheet films remain transparent and functional even in the dark. Moreover, they retain effectiveness under dry conditions, simulating real-world scenarios such as pathogen transmission via sneezing or coughing onto surfaces.

Given their stability, optical clarity, and broad antimicrobial range, HB nanosheets have strong potential as protective coatings for frequently touched items and textiles, offering a proactive defense in homes, public spaces, and healthcare settings.

This discovery marks a promising step toward safer environments and greater preparedness for future public health threats.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-05-transparent-hydrogen-boride-nanosheets-antimicrobial.html

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.