# 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.

## Key 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.