Photocatalytic Inactivation of Pathogenic Viruses Using Metal Oxide and Carbon-Based Nanoparticles

Abstract

Photocatalysis presents a better way for viral inactivation compared to other technologies that require high-energy consumption, such as UV irradiation, thermal treatment, and microwave irradiation. Upon light irradiation, the photons will activate semiconductor photocatalyst and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide radicals anion (•O2 −) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH). A wide range of viruses could be inactivated when these radicals damage the viral protein and genome. This chapter highlights the use of metal oxide nanoparticles, such as zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium oxide (TiO2), copper oxide (CuO), and iron oxide (Fe2O3) to inactivate MS2 virus. These metal oxides are combined with metal (Pd, Ag, Pt and Cu), nonmetal (N), and other material (CuxO and SiO2) to achieve the maximum inactivation in a wider light spectrum. Carbon-based nanoparticles (CN), such as carbon dots (CDs), fullerene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene oxides, have been a focus of interest due to their excellent photostability, low toxicity, and high biocompatibility. This chapter aims to highlight the recent progress in the applications of metal oxide nanoparticles and CN in photocatalytic inactivation of virus. It also demonstrates the future perspectives of photocatalytic viral inactivation to overcome new challenges provoked by viral pandemic cases.