Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and photocatalytic degradation by TiO2 photocatalyst coatings.

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causative agent of the COVID-19, which is a global pandemic, has infected more than 552 million people, and killed more than 6.3 million people. SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted through airborne route in addition to direct contact and droplet modes, the development of disinfectants that can be applied in working spaces without evacuating people is urgently needed. TiO₂ is well known with some features of the purification, antibacterial/sterilization, making it could be developed disinfectants that can be applied in working spaces without evacuating people. Facing the severe epidemic, we expect to fully expand the application of our proposed effective approach of mechanical coating technique (MCT), which can be prepared on a large-scale fabrication of an easy-to-use TiO₂/Ti photocatalyst coating, with hope to curb the epidemic. The photocatalytic inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus, and the photocatalytic degradation of acetaldehyde (C₂H₄O) and formaldehyde (CH₂O) has been investigated. XRD and SEM results show that anatase TiO₂ successfully coats on the surface of Ti coatings, while the crystal structure of anatase TiO₂ can be increased during the following oxidation in air. The catalytic activity towards methylene blue of TiO₂/Ti coating balls has been significantly enhanced by the followed oxidation in air, showing a very satisfying photocatalytic degradation of C₂H₄O and CH₂O. Notably, the TiO₂/Ti photocatalyst coating balls demonstrate a significant antiviral activity, with a decrease rate of virus reached 99.96% for influenza virus and 99.99% for SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]