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
Oxide-derived Cu-Ni (3-32 at%-Ni) alloy nanoparticles with a size of 10 nm enhance selectivity for ethylene and ethanol formation over oxide-derived Cu nanoparticles by electrochemical CO2 reduction. X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements suggest that Ni (generally recognized as an element to avoid) is in a mixed phase of oxidized and metallic states.
ABSTRACT
Vertically aligned titanium dioxide nanotube (TNT) arrays codoped with nitrogen and 3d transition metals were successfully fabricated using anodization and nitridation processes. The codoping of N and Fe yielded the highest visible-light-induced photoelectrochemical water oxidation due to bandgap narrowing of impurity levels by N and Fe.
