Photocatalytic-Driven Antiviral Activities of Heterostructured BiOCl0.2Br0.8 – BiOBr Semiconductors

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new photocatalytic material that can quickly and effectively eliminate viruses like SARS-CoV-2.

Contribution

A novel heterostructured semiconductor composite is developed for efficient antiviral photocatalytic activity.

Findings

The composite fully inactivates SARS-CoV-2 within 5 minutes under light.

It also effectively deactivates vesicular stomatitis virus within 30 minutes of visible light exposure.

The material's structure and composition were confirmed using advanced analytical techniques.

Abstract

Numerous methods
for eliminating severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are being extensively examined in recent
years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse effects
on society. Photocatalysis is among the most encouraging solutions
since it has the capacity to fully annihilate pathogens, surpassing
conventional disinfecting methods. A heterostructured photocatalytic
composite of (70%W BiOCl0.2Br0.8 with 30%W BiOBr)
was prepared via a simple synthetic route that yielded microspheres
∼3–4 μm in diameter. The composite was evidenced
to inactivate stubborn enveloped viruses. By utilizing scanning electron
microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N2 sorption,
and X-ray diffraction, the morphology and the chemical composition
of the heterostructured composite was revealed. Full elimination of
SARS-CoV-2 occurred 5 min following the light-activation of the photocatalytic
mixture. Illumination absence bared a slower yet effective result
of full viral decomposition at a time span of 25 min. A comparable
efficacious outcome was observed in the study case of vesicular stomatitis
virus with complete diminishing within 30 min of visible light exposure.

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