ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We examined the inactivation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by a nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (N-TiO2) visible-light photocatalyst that was activated via light irradiation in the natural environment and was safe for human use as a coating material. METHODS: The photocatalytic activity of glass slides coated with three types of N-TiO2 without metal or loaded with copper or silver and copper was investigated by measuring acetaldehyde degradation. The titer levels of infectious SARS-CoV-2 were measured using cell culture after exposing photocatalytically active coated glass slides to visible light for up to 60 min. RESULTS: N-TiO2 photoirradiation inactivated the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain and this effect was enhanced by copper loading and further by the addition of silver. Hence, visible-light irradiation using silver and copper-loaded N-TiO2 inactivated the Delta, Omicron, and Wuhan strains. CONCLUSION: N-TiO2 could be used to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 variants, including emerging variants, in the environment.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Nitrogen Dioxide , Silver , Copper , Light , Titanium/radiation effects , Nitrogen , CatalysisABSTRACT
Research on antiviral agents to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 is still a concern of researchers. Many innovations have been made, one of which is coating the surface of cloth masks using photocatalyst materials. Visible light photocatalysts have been shown to have antimicrobial properties in sunlight. The study of material modification becomes important to select and optimize the supporting materials used. We observed that modifications with nano-silica particles (SiO2) have good transmission capabilities and can be produced from natural sources (biological and non-biological). Therefore, this utilization is carried out to apply the principle of zero waste, namely renewable natural sources as a source/precursor of nano-silica. In this study, we focus on renewable research related to the use of natural nano-silica as supporting material for visible light photocatalysts will be explored to be coated on polyester mask fabrics as an effort to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on the surface of the mask. © 2022, Rasayan Journal of Chemistry, c/o Dr. Pratima Sharma. All rights reserved.