Environmental Virucidal Nanomaterials: An Overview of Efficacy and Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

Emerging and re-emerging communicable infectious diseases (CIDs) annually contribute toward global mortality by as much as 20%. CIDs impose an increasingly formidable threat against growing and densifying interconnected population centers. CIDs caused by viral pathogens are particularly concerning as their potential for interhost transmission and contagion are averse to preemptive mitigation. Compounding their toll on human health and life, viral contagion can also severely disrupt and/or cripple a society economically, resulting in catastrophic global fiscal and financial loss, as evidenced by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Contemporary best hygiene
practices, social distancing, vaccinations, and controlled herd immunity are critical to thwarting viral transmission and contagion of CIDs. This is particularly important as virally-infected individuals are limited in treatment options to roughly 90 virus-specific US FDA-approved antiviral drugs, many of which are demonstrably ineffective. While considerable research attention has been focused on the development of antimicrobial materials, the overwhelming majority target prokaryotic pathogens. This critical review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of established and state-of-the-art environmental virucidal nanomaterials (EVNs), with a particular emphasis on rational design, synthesis, developmental challenges, and advancement. EVNs are conformable, biocompatible nanomaterials designed to inactivate, lyse, or disrupt the replication cycle of infectious virions upon contact. EVNs range broadly in their implementation, including application to high touch surfaces, sterilely functional surfaces, filtration media, textiles, personal protective equipment, and biomedical devices in healthcare settings to prevent nosocomial spread. With the expansion of globalization and increasing urban population densities, the need for human-safe preventive measures to manage transmissible infectious pathogens in the environment is imperative. Development, advancement, and implementation of EVNs are anticipated to augment best hygiene practices, social distancing, vaccines, and existing antiviral pharmaceuticals. This was amply shown during the COVID 19 and SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and the use of mask filtration with tight weaves of 300nm to the potential use of combined physical/chemical methodologies used in filtration, particularly HEPA filters.