TiO2-based nanomaterials assisted photocatalytic treatment for virus inactivation: perspectives and applications
Ilaria De Pasquale, Chiara Lo Porto, Massimo Dell’Edera, Maria Lucia Curri, Roberto Comparelli
Abstract
• The urgency of limiting spread of viruses and bacteria moves towards new approaches. • Photocatalytic nanomaterials can be a valuable alternative to chemical disinfectants. • Potential of TiO 2 -based photocatalysis for viral disinfection is critically revised. • Applications of TiO 2 -based disinfection in air, water and surface are overviewed. The COVID 19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for urgent access to measures to contain the spread of the virus and bacteria. In this frame, the use of photocatalytic nanomaterials can be a valuable alternative to chemical disinfectants without the limitation of generating polluting by-products and with the advantage of re-usability in time. Here, on the basis of up-to-date literature reports, the use of TiO 2 -based photocatalytic nanomaterials in disinfection will be overviewed, considering the peculiar nanocatalysts assisted inactivation mechanisms. The potential of this class of photocatalysts for air, surface and water disinfection will be highlighted, critically revising the recent achievements in view of their potential in real application.